Taylor Swift’s Film Crew Denies Harming Endangered Birds In New Zealand
Taylor Swift’s film crew have denied harming endangered Dotterel nests during the shooting of her new video.
Cherokee Films were accused of taking too many vehicles to Bethells Beach near Auckland, with campaigners claiming they could’ve crushed the rare birds’ nests.
Copyright [Steve Granitz/WireImage]
Conservationists claim the film crew were given permission to take two vehicles on the sand, but that they instead took up to a dozen vans and 4x4s.
Waitakere Ranges Local Board chair Sandra Coney told Sky News: “There are restrictions on the number of vehicles and what they can do when they’re on the beach.
“So this particular filming company was given permission for two vehicles, which is what they asked for, but considerably more vehicles actually went onto the beach.
“And we don’t know yet whether they followed the rules, which are that they shouldn’t be going more than 10kph and they should have a spotter in front of any vehicle that’s moving on the beach.
Copyright [Twitter/Taylor Swift Updates]
“I certainly don’t think we’re going to shake it off because the part of the Auckland Council that is responsible for giving film permits will be getting in touch with the film company and having a conversation with them and I don’t know what will follow from that.”
The film company has now issued a statement denying causing harm to the endangered species, saying: “Taylor Swift and her management team were in no way at fault and did not do anything that violated permits or ordinances.
“Cherokee Films has a long history of responsible film shoots across Auckland, including Bethells Beach, where we have filmed many times. Our shoots have always been with the guidance and support of the relevant local authority - most recently Screen Auckland and Parks - and landowners.
“In acknowledgement of the concern this has added to those in charge of protecting local Dotterel population Cherokee Films will make a donation to the breeding program as we support your concerns.”
Copyright [Wildside New Zealand]
They continued: “Cherokee Films were filming at Bethells Beach on Monday 23rd November where a base camp was set up on private land which allowed for access to the beach.
“We had permission from the landowners and paid a fee for use of the land. At all times the film crew adhered to the Dotterel protocol in guidelines provided about the dotterel nesting sites, and at no time were the film crew close to that habitat. No Dotterel were harmed.
“Our filming occurred outside of the Dotterel breeding area (as per referenced map which indicates the area and also the breeding seasons). Once on the beach, via the restricted access zone, the film crew presence was always in the hard sand area only - as per the permit.”
