Plea for help as penguins found in bin

WILDLIFE authorities are calling for public help to uncover information about the dumping of 12 dead penguins in a bin in a reserve in Tasmania’s North.

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment said the dead birds were found at Low Head Coastal Reserve.

On Wednesday, rangers collected the penguin carcasses from a garbage bin after they were contacted by a member of the public.

Acting wildlife operations section head Mark Gibson said the carcasses had been taken to Mt Pleasant Laboratories for post mortem examination to try to determine the cause of death.

The results are expected back next week. “Thanks to the public vigilance we were made aware of this incident and responded immediately,” Mr Gibson said.

“Investigations into all the circumstances surrounding the deaths are continuing and so we would like to encourage anyone who may have any information to contact us.

“All reports of alleged unlawful harming of wildlife are regarded extremely by the department.”

Ranger Adam Scurrah said penguins had been killed by dogs in the Low Head area before but it was too early to say how the binned penguins had died.

Wildlife authorities worked with the council last year to apprehend any dogs found at large after the bodies of 13 penguins were found near the Low Head boat ramp.

Earlier in 2017, 18 little penguins were killed at Stanley and the owner of two dogs was prosecuted.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact DPIPWE’s Wildlife Operations Branch on 0427 437 020 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Information can vided anonymously. seriously be pro-