Catastrophic Dog Attack on Low Head Little Penguins

BirdLife Tasmania today described the dog attack that killed 58 Little Penguins at
Low Head as “catastrophic”.
“How many more Little Penguins have to be killed by dogs before the Tasmanian
Government acts to protect these vulnerable birds?” asked Dr Eric Woehler,
BirdLife Tasmania Convenor.
This is believed to be the second dog attack on penguins at Low Head this year,
and the fourth or fifth for the year to date around Tasmania.
“It’s an issue that won’t go away until dog owners take responsibility for their
pets’ actions” Dr Woehler added.
“Letting dogs loose at night is asking for trouble, especially in coastal
communities around Tasmania. Tasmania has half the world’s population of Little
Penguins, so it is critical that we protect them and their colonies.”
“The breeding season has just started, and it will take many years and potentially
more than a decade for the colony to recover from the loss of these birds” Dr
Woehler added. “There can be no other word to describe this attack as
catastrophic”.
BirdLife Tasmania supports the DPIPWE call for assistance and urged members
of the community to come forward immediately if they have any information.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact DPIPWE’s
Wildlife Operations Branch on 0427 437 020, PWS on 1300 827 727 or Crime
Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.