<\/p>\n
\nNine penguin have been found dead in Golden Bay over the past fortnight or so. File picture.
\nPhoto: 123RF\n<\/p>\n
The Department of Conservation is warning dog owners to keep their pets under control, after nine little penguins were found dead in Golden Bay over a nearly two-week period.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, three koror\u0101 were found dead on Pakawau Beach in Golden Bay and were believed to have been killed by a dog.<\/p>\n
The dead birds have been sent to Massey University for a necropsy and DNA testing, which would confirm if a dog was to blame.<\/p>\n
The bodies of six others were found on nearby Parapara beach over the 12 days prior, all of them killed by a dog.<\/p>\n
DOC acting Golden Bay operations manager Shane Butland reminded owners to keep dogs on leads during the day and contained at night, if there were penguins in the area.<\/p>\n
“Koror\u0101 are the world’s smallest penguin, about 25cm long when fully grown. They have a conservation status of ‘At Risk – Declining’.<\/p>\n
“Threats include dog attacks, predation from introduced predators and being hit by vehicles, and they are easily disturbed by people.”<\/p>\n
Golden Bay ward councillor Celia Butler said the situation was not unprecedented.<\/p>\n
“There is a problem ongoing with penguins being killed by dogs, and part of the problem is that dogs are very, very attracted to the smell of penguins and they are nesting at the moment.”<\/p>\n
Butler said, under council rules, dogs should be under control at all times, which meant they should not be able to roam at night.<\/p>\n
“This can be a particular threat to penguins. When people allow dogs to roam at night, they are breaking the bylaw, but it’s very difficult to know whose dog it is.”<\/p>\n
Koror\u0101 are fully protected by the Wildlife Act, and harming or killing them is illegal.<\/p>\n