Carers to fight penguin tour plan

EVERARD HIMMELREICH

16 Feb, 2010 04:00 AM

A PROPOSAL to run dusk tours of the Little Penguin colony at London Bridge in the Port Campbell National Park has raised the concern of local wildlife carers. Wildlife carer Annie Fraser, of Peterborough, said she strongly objected to the idea of tours of the penguin colony, saying they would disrupt not only the penguins but also the endangered hooded plover that nests on the beach near the colony."The beach is not big enough and the colony of birds is not big enough to sustain regular visits," Ms Fraser said.

Ms Fraser said penguins had previously inhabited numerous coves along the south-west coast but human intervention had reduced their numbers and prompted them to go to colonies elsewhere. Ms Fraser, who has cared for sick and injured penguins, said she had boycotted a recent Parks Victoria workshop on the proposal because she strongly opposed the idea.

Kirsa Veal, from the Kolora Wildlife Shelter, attended the workshop and said she believed many of those who took part had concerns about the proposed tours. "I think there are a lot of people who will oppose this. We will fight this vigorously," Ms Veal said. She was concerned at the plan to hold the tours during summer when the penguins were moulting and stressed.

Even outside moulting times, the penguins became anxious at unusual noise, she said. Parks Victoria has promised to consult with the community before any decision is made to hold tours of the penguin colony.
A report on the workshop is due to be made to Parks Victoria later this month.

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