Wallabies could be located in Christchurch's Port Hills

There have been multiple sightings reported on the Christchurch’s Port Hills, the latest on January 1st and the 20th. There have only been 14 potential wallaby sightings in Ōtautahi since 1997, wallaby programme leader Brent Glentworth told The Press.

They have also postponed the most recent search because of the Port Hills fires but are likely to re-investigate soon if not already.

If wallabies are here they aren’t a threat to humans, in fact they’re relatively friendly, but the issue is around the vegetation that could be at risk.

They like eating native plants and compete with livestock for eating pasture, and they damage crops and fences which is affecting local farmers. They also live anywhere below 2000 meters, so the Canterbury plains are ideal for them.

James Ross, a wildlife ecologist at Lincoln University, believes they would 'definitely not have made their own way up' and most likely would have been transported. 

The main population base has always been in and around Timaru, and they had a containment area which spanned from Waimate to around Geraldine (roughly 900,000 hectares). It worked well because they never crossed the surrounding rivers, James says.

Only over the last 20 years the reported sightings have branched further. They have been seen as far south as past Dunedin, as far west as Mount Cook, and as far north as the Port Hills if confirmed, he says.

Wallaby sightings can be reported using the Report Wallabies NZ form or calling the animal pest staff on 0800 800 401.