Taranaki Department of Conservation (DoC) staff have issued another plea to leave pets at home, after photos emerged of a domestic cat taken into the national park.
DoC staff say they're concerned for vulnerable native wildlife, which includes kiwi and whio among other taonga species.
It comes after several incidents emerged of cats wearing jackets, tropical birds and dogs being taken into Te Papa Kura o Taranaki / Egmont National Park last August.
In one instance, a DoC ranger came across visitors with their pet cats and asked them to leave. However, despite media attention, senior ranger Cameron Hunt said it's still an issue.
“We’ve been alerted to another case of a pet cat in the park with its owner – and just like last year, we have the picture to prove it."
This time a member of the public came across the man alleged to be its owner, on the Pouakai Track in late October, when they snapped a photo and sent it to DoC.
“It’s pretty clear what’s shown in the photograph is occurring inside the boundaries of the national park," Hunt said.
The photo shows the alleged owner feeding a cat on his lap, with Taranaki Maunga in the background as visitors watch on. Another person takes a photo too.
Hunt said efforts to identify him haven't worked, prompting DoC to go public.
“Someone must know who he is," Hunt added.
"We don’t know if that’s his cat, but regardless the animal appears to be in his care."
Pets of all kinds are banned from conservation areas like national parks, because they can prey on native birds, chicks, geckos, skinks, and other species.
Under the National Parks Act, owners breaching this may be fined up to $800, while repeat offenders may get charged and fined up to $100,000 or face a year in prison.
DoC staff could also impound pets without permits in national parks or controlled areas.
Anyone who can identify the man in the picture is urged to contact Cameron Hunt on 0272461083 or chunt@doc.govt.nz.
