Abandoned pets threat to kiwi

The New Zealand Kiwi Foundation is urging animal-owners not to dump unwanted cats and dogs during the summer holidays because of the threat they pose to kiwi.

The foundation, a Far North-based kiwi protection group, says the only Christmas gift the bird is likely to have this summer is a big increase in the number of hungry cats and dogs roaming in the bush. Spokesman Greg Blunden estimates that dozens of kiwi are killed every year by abandoned pets. The animals are often dumped in remote bush areas - the normal habitat for kiwi.