Boaties are being reminded to leave their dogs at home if they intend visiting Lake Wanaka's islands.

Department of Conservation ranger Flo Gaud said dogs were believed to be responsible for the death of one of a breeding pair of buff weka on Te Peka Karara Island, or Stevensons Island, late last month.

''A witness reported that a black Labrador was sighted on the island at the time,'' Ms Gaud said recently.

Once plentiful in the South Island, the light-coloured buff weka is now found only on Chatham and Pitt Islands - except for populations introduced to Te Peka Karara and Mou Waho Islands in Lake Wanaka, and Pigeon and Pig Islands in Lake Wakatipu.

Te Peka Karara has five or six breeding pairs.

Ms Gaud said there had also been two reports from the public of dogs being illegally on Mou Waho this summer.

Signs warning dog owners it is an offence to take dogs to the islands are in place at several points on the islands and at lakeside boat launching areas.

Ms Gaud said the disturbance of wildlife on the islands was disappointing and frustrating.

''It is very sad to see this abuse of the rules on the island.

''Ignorance is not an excuse.

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Dogs on islands in lake cause concern