4:24 pm today

Water Dragons pose threat to NZ species - biosecurity advisor

From Checkpoint, 4:24 pm today

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.