Here (should Not) Be Dragons

A rogue Australian water dragon has been removed
from Papaitonga Scenic Reserve near Levin, prompting the
Department of Conservation to remind people not to dump
unwanted pets on conservation
land.

Water dragons are a native
Australian semi-aquatic lizard and are considered a threat
to New Zealand wildlife. Young water dragons are fully
insectivorous, supplementing their diets with plants as they
grow, and pose a significant threat to local
biodiversity.

Kelly Hancock, DOC
Manawatu Operations District Supervisor, says while the
exotic lizard has been humanely euthanised, DOC rangers
don’t want to add dragon slaying to their job
descriptions.

“Letting a pet go in
your local reserve might seem like the humane option, but
many pets aren’t equipped to survive in the wild or can
cause damage to the ecosystem if they do,” says
Kelly.

“New Zealand weather is too
cold for most species of lizards, so they will likely die
during winter if outdoors, but if they do manage to survive,
they may spread diseases and prey on native plants and
animals.

“We think this one may
have been at large in the reserve for a while, so removing
it is a big win. The native wildlife will be safer now the
invasive dragon has been
caught.”

New Zealand’s ecosystems
are not equipped to handle invasive species like water
dragons or other exotic pets. Lizards, turtles, and even
goldfish can wreak havoc on our ecosystems if released into
the wild.

Kelly’s advice for lizard
owners who are no longer able to care for their pets is to
find them a new home.

“Don’t ever
release exotic lizards anywhere,” says Kelly. “They may
prey on endangered species, compete with them for food, or
transmit diseases that could wreak havoc on our native
lizards, which have no
immunity.

“Animal welfare
organisations like your local SPCA can give advice on how to
surrender unwanted pets. This is kinder, not just for the
pet, but for our taonga native species as
well.”

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