Phormidium has been confirmed in the lower Cardrona River. Photo ORCDog owners are being warned over the presence of a potentially toxic algae in the lower Cardrona River. The Otago Regional Council today advised that the algae Phormidium has been confirmed in the waterway. “It is important that people using waterways are aware of the risks associated with its possible presence, and are alert to this wherever they are in Otago,” Dr Olsen said. There have been cases in New Zealand of dog deaths associated with toxic algae where dogs have eaten the mats formed by Phormidium, having been attracted by their deep earthy odour.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 13, 2017 04:01 UTC