31 Jul 2024
Water Dragons pose threat to NZ species - biosecurity advisor
Reptiles like the Australian Water Dragon were recently found lounging amongst the Greenery by the Tasman District biosecuirty team. Water Dragons are traded and legally kept as pets here - but it's illegal to release them into the wild in Auckland or Northland. Dr Imogen Bassett, the Biosecurity Principal Advisor at Auckland Council, told Susana Lei'ataua the Australian natives pose a threat to New Zealand's own species and laws around exotic pets need to be tightened.