Dog owners warned after penguin deaths

Published: Monday August 20, 2012 Source: ONE News

• 
  The little blue penguins splash through the surf - Source: ONE News

The deaths of two little blue penguins from what appear to have been dog attacks on Wellington's south coast have prompted the city council to remind dog owners to keep their dogs under control.
Two dead little blue penguins were found at the airport end of Lyall Bay beach by a member of the public last week.

Dogs must be kept on a leash or, if they are in a dog exercise area, a watchful eye must be kept on them, the council said today.
Even in an off-leash area they have to be under control at all times.
The Council's Biodiversity Coordinator, Myfanwy Emeny, says this isn't the first time little blue penguins have been attacked along the south coast.

Late last month another penguin was found dead nearby at Hue Te Taka/Moa Point.
"From the bite marks on all three carcasses it appears the penguins were attacked and killed by dogs," Emeny said.
Dogs are not allowed on the seaward side of the road between Wahine Memorial Park at Palmer Head and Moa Point, including Tarakena Bay, except for the main track where they must keep to the track and stay on a lead. This is to give the little blue penguins a safe place to live and breed.

"A lot of people might not realise penguins have a very strong smell and are very attractive to dogs. Small dogs can even get inside their nest boxes and destroy the eggs and kill the chicks," Emeny said.
"It is the nesting season now and adults are feeding their chicks in the nest. If an adult penguin gets killed or injured by a dog, it is likely their chicks would starve."

The Council's Natural Environment Portfolio Leader, Councillor Helene Ritchie, says she is upset and annoyed to hear more penguins have been killed.
"Having penguins on the coast is what makes Wellington what it is - in terms of access to biodiversity."

Wellington City Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer, who lives in the area and is part of a community group that enhances penguin habitats, says he is always frustrated to hear of penguin deaths.
"A lot of the community has been actively doing stoat control work and replanting to enhance the penguin population on the south coast."

He has urged caution before blaming dogs for all the deaths of little blue penguins in the area.
"Unfortunately there are a lot of suspects in the area in this regard including feral cats and mustelids like stoats and weasels."
Under the Dog Control Act, the owner of a dog that attacks or kills wildlife can be fined up to $3000 and the dog can be destroyed.

source