Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Aussie marauding dogs a hazard for local penguins

MARAUDING dogs and exhaustion are just two of the hazards faced by some of the smallest visitors to the Central Coast.
Vets and wildlife rescue groups have reported a number of fairy penguins saved from the region’s beaches and waterways in recent weeks.
A penguin was brought into Erina Heights Vet Hospital on June 17 after a suspected dog attack.
Erina Heights vet Michael Jones said a man had told him he found the penguin at Forresters Beach. “It had several flesh wounds which look like they could have been sustained during a dog attack.”
“We stitched it up and cleaned up its wounds and the penguin was then taken to Taronga Zoo,” he said.
Central Coast Wildlife ARC seabird coordinator Deborah Maksim said it was the fourth penguin rescue she had heard about this month.

“Another man found a penguin at Saratoga earlier this month and took it to a vet because it was exhausted. Coast residents are being reminded to keep an eye out when visiting the region’s beaches and waterways, following several reported rescues of penguins across the region.* It seems the area’s beaches are quite popular with the small and furry creatures, with several penguins spotted spending time at both Gosford City and Wyong Shire breaks. “While we don’t want to alert the public to the exact location of any penguin colonies on the Central Coast, there are a couple in the Gosford City area and there is also meant to be one up north in Wyong Shire as well.” Ms Maksim said
“We like to keep the areas secret. That way they can enjoy themselves and relax without having to worry about being disturbed by people or animals. However, sometimes the birds come into contact with animals and the results can be negative.”

 Source

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