Nelson’s wildlife park is reeling after the theft of two reptiles in yet another break-in at the Tāhunanui destination.
Natureland Wildlife Park has been broken into four times in the past two weeks.
Over the weekend two water dragons were stolen from their enclosure, the first time something has been taken during the spate of forced entries.
Manager Ruth Seabright says the entire Natureland team are devastated by the loss of the dragons and also the damage to the park.
Ruth says they are working with police, Nelson City Council, MPI and a security company to prevent further break-ins.
“However, it is a challenging site to keep secure with lots of vegetation and free-ranging animals,” Ruth says.
In the first of the break-ins, rabbits and native kākā were released from their enclosure but were luckily able to be encouraged back into their homes.
With the theft of the water dragons, the break-ins and the on-going damage to the park, the financial strain is only increasing for the wildlife trust, which is already struggling post-Covid.
Ruth says a male and a female water dragon were taken and asks if anyone has any information that might lead to their return to please contact her at ruth@natureland.nz
Natureland will be offering a reward for any information that leads to their recovery.
A police media spokesperson says enquiries are ongoing into the four break-ins.
