Auckland's Dairy Flat is plagued by seagulls
Businesses in Dairy Flat, Auckland, are struggling with a massive seagull infestation that is damaging property and contaminating water supplies. Local owners are frustrated by the lack of official responsibility for the health and economic risks posed by the birds.
Why it matters
It illustrates the intersection of urban wildlife management and public health, highlighting the economic burden on small businesses when environmental issues go unaddressed.
Hundreds of seagulls are plaguing a northern Auckland district, leaving business owners at their wit's end.
The birds have damaged roofs, while their excrement has blocked drains and contaminated water in Dairy Flat.
The issue has left locals stumped about how they can solve a problem no one is taking responsibility for.
Despite being off the side of a highway, and over 10 kilometres from the beach, businesses in Dairy Flat have become used to their roofs regularly become a sea of white, completely covered in birds.
Nick Smith, owner of Silverdale Panel beaters, said the birds have been around for a while, but the problem really took off at the beginning of the year.
"On a bad day I'd say we're possibly into the thousands, on an average day there would be hundreds, but on a bad day there would be thousands."
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