There has been a disappointing start to the penguin breeding season with three penguins found dead within a few weeks.
Two of the penguins had been killed by dogs and another by a vehicle on the Coast Road.
June marks the start of the blue penguin breeding season with egg laying beginning in July.
One of the dead blue penguins was found on the beach side of the Karoro Domain on 27 May, another was found at 9 mile north of Greymouth on 1 May. Both had been killed by dogs. Another was found on the Coast Rd near Bakers Creek on 2 June.
The deaths are a timely reminder to keep dogs under control and to slow down on roads near the coast where penguin road signs are showing.
“As penguin numbers build up in the next two months it becomes even more important to keep dogs under control or on a leash,” says Trust Chairperson Kerry-Jayne Wilson.
“Dogs are the second greatest threat to penguins on the West Coast, ahead of stoats and other predators. Only vehicles kill blue penguins in greater numbers,” she says.
DOC Community Relations Programme Manager Trevor Johnston says it is a good reminder at the start of the blue penguin breeding season.
“Don’t kid yourself that your dog won’t hurt a penguin, all dogs do. The minute a dog is out of sight it can be getting up to mischief and penguins are vulnerable so dogs must be kept under strict control near the beach,” he says.
DOC and the West Coast Blue Penguin Trust keep a blue penguin mortality database. If a member of the public finds a dead penguin they can call their local DOC office or contact the Trust at info@bluepenguin.org.nz
