Dreadful news from New Zealand's Stuff. A carnivorous stoat was reportedly seen on Anchor Island in Dusky Sound, Fiordland, by a member of the public last Friday!

Kakapo team leader Emma Neill said DOC was pleased the member of the public was aware of the significance of the stoat and promptly advised the local area office in Te Anau.

As a precautionary measure DOC staff moved 10 female kakapo to another island refuge. The island's predator traps were checked and re-baited and a dog trained to follow stoat scent would be deployed.

DOC said stoat numbers were high in Fiordland due to the increased numbers of mice in the ecosystem.

Full story at the Stuff.co.nz website.