Biodiversity ranger Mark Mawhinney is hopping mad, saying the actions are gross, an environmental concern and an offence.
A member of the public made the gruesome find, believed to be offal from about 50 to 60 rabbits, and reported it to DoC last week.
Mawhinney says his team collected about 20 litres of guts — which is unsightly, smelly and can attract vermin.
"Almost all of it was in the lake but there were chunks on the bank, which suggests someone has driven down there and dumped them all in the lake.
"It is offal — it is apollutant. Not that 20 litres is a huge amount, but you can imagine if everyone did that what shape Lake Hayes would get into."
He urges those who may know the culprits to come forward.
"If someone knows the registration plate or could give us some more information we would really like to hear from the public."
DoC isn’t able to fine those responsible but can prosecute.
Lake Hayes isn’t the only place animal remains have been spotted.
A deer carcass had to be removed just off the Glenorchy Road recently after someone dumped a processed carcass.
Mawhinney worries it is part of a growing trend of locals dumping organic waste, including garden rubbish and even household waste.
Problem areas include Tucker Beach and Arrowtown.
"We are seeing a little bit of this — people that mow lawns and dump clippings over the fence into a DoC reserve.
"Yes it is all organic material but at the end of the day we know it’s not a good thing to do."
— Louise Scott
