Environment Southland staff and contractors are now searching for wallaby near Te Anau and on Mount Nicholas after recent sightings of the pest were reported at both locations.

South Island wallabies, introduced from Australia, are mostly found in the South Canterbury area. They are classified as an exclusion pest in Southland which means they were not currently in the region.

The Te Anau search was triggered after a potential wallaby sighting (16 Sept) was reported near Te Anau's lake control gates.

Environment Southland biosecurity and biodiversity operations manager Ali Meade said three staff members had searched the Te Anau target area yesterday and today (24 Sep), with a fourth expected to join the team tomorrow.

"The team is made up of staff members alongside one specialist pest control contractor."

"Our focus has been on the area of scrub near the control gate for the Waiau River, as this is where the initial sighting, potential scat and detector dog indication were located," Meade said.

"If there is a wallaby it is likely one animal which has been transported into the region but until we find it, we cannot confirm anything further."

Meade said both the Otago Regional Council and Ministry for Primary Industries were providing help and the Police were also aware of the operation.

No further sign had yet been found, she said.

Fiordland Golf Club spokesperson Dawn Dowling said golfers had been asked to keep an eye out for any wallaby following a request from Environment Southland.

Dowling said Environment Southland staff had been on the course with their sniffer dog most of the day (24 Sept).

They had also asked, and been given, permission to carry a gun if necessary, she said.

Wallaby sightings have been recently been made near Te Anau and Mount Nicholas, sparking Environment Southland teams to search and locate the pest. Photo: DoC

CLICK HERE to report a wallaby sighting.