Photo: 123rf
Invercargill police are trying to trace the source of three flares spotted between Te Anau township and Dome Island Saturday night.
Sergeant Alun Griffiths said reports were received just before 10pm about the red parachute flares.
Southern Lakes Helicopters carried out a search using night vision and thermal equipment.
Griffiths said it is possible someone let off the flares but were not in distress.