Helicopter company claims 1080 deliberately laid to discredit DOCBARRY HARCOURT/FAIRFAX NZ Pictured in September, a 1080 pellet, one of a number found on and off a track between Supply Bay and balloon Loop. The helicopter company involved in a botched 1080 drop in Fiordland says they were not responsible and perhaps 1080 protesters were involved. The report says the spill could have been accidental discharge from a helicopter bucket, or a deliberate sabotage on the helicopter company by deliberately placing baits on the helicopter path. However, a letter from Gale, sent to DOC in October and included in the DOC report, says all pilots were adamant they did not have equipment failure at any time during the operation. On Friday, DOC Te Anau operations manager Greg Lind said while the first incident was unfortunate, the second incident was the more controversial.

Source: Stuff November 11, 2016 08:05 UTC