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Harsh penalties sought for 'eco-terrorists'

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Sat, 28 Oct 2017, 7:02AM
Taranaki Regional Council Chair David MacLeod said the deer have potential to cause serious long-lasting harm to the region's economy and biodiversity. (Photo: Getty Images)
Taranaki Regional Council Chair David MacLeod said the deer have potential to cause serious long-lasting harm to the region's economy and biodiversity. (Photo: Getty Images)

Harsh penalties sought for 'eco-terrorists'

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Sat, 28 Oct 2017, 7:02AM

Taranaki Regional Council wants to see those responsible for illegally releasing feral deer severely punished.

50 Sika deer were released into the wild around North Taranaki earlier this month by anti-1080 protesters.

Department of Conservation staff have shot six of the 15 deer sighted in the conservation forests.

Taranaki Regional Council Chair David MacLeod said the deer have potential to cause serious long-lasting harm to the region's economy and biodiversity.

He said hunting sika deer is more difficult than other species, so specialist skills and expert resources are urgently required.

Yesterday the Director-General of DOC Lou Sanson described the protesters acts as "eco-terrorism".

The protesters have threatened to release more deer onto Mount Taranaki, and have also vandalised DOC property.

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