The Department of Conservation has apologised to Nelson City Council and members of the public after non-toxic pellets left behind following a drone trial sparked concern among residents who believed them to be poisonous.
The incident unfolded following a drone-based experiment conducted last week at the Wakapuaka sandflats located northeast of Nelson.
DOC terrestrial biodiversity director Hilary Aikman said the trial was part of an ongoing study to test the effectiveness of aerial detection methods.
“They used non-toxic pellets for this research, dyed blue to make them easier to see,” she said.
“Once the pellets were laid out, a drone was used to photograph the area where the pellets lay, to quantify pellet detection rates.”
However, the pellets were left behind by the team, leading to a member of the public walking their dog reporting them to Nelson City Council on Monday.
The council issued a warning shortly before 3pm yesterday that green or blue poisonous pellets which were “highly toxic” to animals and humans had been located in the area.
“There is no indication of how they got there, and the matter has been reported to the police,” said community services group manager Andrew White in a statement to 1News last night.
However, once DOC had clarified the origin and nature of the pellets, the council said this morning that the issue had been resolved.
“The area is safe for recreational users and dog walkers.”
Aikman said DOC would like to apologise to Nelson City Council and members of the public, particularly dog owners, for the concern caused.
“We acknowledge the non-toxic pellets should have been removed on the day of the trial and we made an error in judgement by leaving them there.”
The team would remove any pellets remaining in the area today, she added.
