Dog owners told to stay away from Wairarapa river covered in toxic algae

Tuesday, 3 December 2019

A section of the normally picturesque Waipoua River, near Masterton, is off limits to dogs after a section was found to be totally covered in toxic algae.

Greater Wellington is warning people to stay away from a Wairarapa river which has a 'severe' toxic algae bloom.

Sections of the Waipoua River are '100 per cent' covered with algae and sections of the river also have algal mats building on the river margins.

Toxic algae has been found in the Pakuratahi River, near Upper Hutt.

The algae is highly toxic and can kill dogs and young children if digested.

Council spokesman Stephen Heath says the affected reach stretches from Paierau Rd to the Ruamahanga River and dogs owners should stay away.

Dog owners throughout the region are being warned to watch out for toxic algae in rivers.

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Until the weekend's rain, toxic algae covered up to 50 per cent of the Ōtaki riverbank.

Toxic algae has also been detected in Upper Hutt and dog owners across the region are being advised to stay alert.

Greater Wellington says algae has also been spotted in the Pakuratahi River, near the campsite in Kaitoke Regional Park.

The council is advising dogs owners to stay out of the river and to instead use the Hutt River.

Toxic algae thrives in hot weather and prefers shallow, slow moving, water.

In recent years it has become an increasing problem nation-wide. The toxic algae is often found in a number ofd regional rivers, including the Ōtaki, Waiohine and Waingawa rivers.

Last summer, in January, it made its first appearance in the Hutt River.

Ingesting a piece of algae the size of a 50 cent piece can kill a dog or a small child.

Greater Wellington said recent warm weather meant people should be on the lookout in all rivers.

'The best way to stay safe is to know what toxic algae looks like and avoid it.'

Toxic facts

* Toxic algae (cyanobacteria or blue-green algae) are microscopic organisms that play a very important role in many land and aquatic ecosystems. Toxic algal cells multiply and form blooms in rivers or lakes, which become thicks mats dense mats on river beds (known as benthic). Mats are generally found in slow moving rivers.

* Algal blooms reduce the oxygen and light in rivers and produce toxins, which can be fatal to humans and dogs.

Scientists do not have a good understanding of when blooms become toxic, and the levels of toxicity can only be determined by laboratory testing. It is safest to treat the blooms as if they are toxic at all times.

* Dogs are at risk because they like to play in water. In recent years deaths associated with algae have become increasingly common.

If you suspect that your dog has eaten toxic algae, you should treat it as an emergency and contact your vet immediately. In extreme cases, death can occur within 30 minutes after the first signs of illness appear.

Signs a dog has been poisoned include lethargy, muscle tremors, fast breathing, twitching, paralysis and convulsions.