The Department of Conservation is investigating after 10 black-billed gulls were found to have been poisoned on the foreshore in Te Anau.
Testing showed that the protected gulls, or tarāpuka, had ingested alphachloralose, a rapid-acting narcotic bird control agent and hazardous substance. Five were sick and another five had already died.
Te Anau Operations Manager John Lucas said the targeting was "unfairly maligned" as the endemic gull species was actually "less likely to be found scavenging than other gull species" and had recently had a rapid population decline.
"People may be used to seeing colonies ranging in the hundreds and thousands but – with introduced predators, habitat loss and changes in land use – these avian fixtures of the south are in serious trouble, with some studies estimating up to 80% decline over the past 30 years," said Lucas.
As part of its investigation, DOC askedanyone with information relating to the use of alphachloralose or any product containing this toxin in the Te Anau area around January 18 to come forward.
"Like kiwi and kākā, tarāpuka are only found in New Zealand and are part of what makes New Zealand special. If you saw or heard anything while out naturing on the Te Anau waterfront this summer that may help us get to the bottom of this please get in touch."
Information can be shared anonymously to 0800 DOC HOT DOC (0800 362 468).
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