Dogs deployed to help stop the spread of an invasive grass species

[Judi Lynn]

09/02/2018
Annabelle Tukia

Biosecurity officers have a new weapon in their bid to stop the spread of Chilean Needle Grass.

The invasive weed is causing a headache for Canterbury farmers, but detector dogs have been specially trained to hunt it out.

And now new recruits Tahi and Nala are joining the fight to stop its spread.

The invasive weed smothers pasture and produces seed heads that can drill into animal's skin, causing painful wounds. It was first found in Canterbury nines years ago and has since been found on 20 properties.

More:
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/02/dogs-deployed-to-help-stop-the-spread-of-an-invasive-grass-species.html

[WhiteTara]

1. There's an invasive grass in California called Star Thistle

and it is terrible and also causes wounds and moves very quickly through fields.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Sounds like it's a relative of the Chilean Needle Grass. It should be named "Trump Grass."

I've never heard that there is grass which can harm people.

It most clearly needs to go. Now.

[WhiteTara]

3. Non native invasive species really wreak havoc

on the native population of plants.