Plea for penguin cameras

TASMANIA’S animal welfare body wants cameras installed near little penguin colonies — and soon.

RSPCA CEO Andrew Byrne yesterday urged “all councils concerned for the safety of penguin colonies within their boundaries to install cameras as a matter of urgency”.

“Little penguins are tremely vulnerable to dation,” Dr Byrne said.

“They have zero capacity to defend themselves from dogs, and every effort must be made to ensure there is a clear deterrent for those community members who are responsible for dogs but fail to consider the whereabouts of their pets at all times.”

Dogs had killed almost 200 little penguins in 12 months.

In the most recent case, 14 little penguins were found expredead at Bicheno, with wounds consistent with a dog attack.

Dr Byrne said he welcomed the formation of the Tasmanian Penguin Advisory Group but it needed to be funded.

The group was established in February, with the Tasmanian Government also promising to deploy rangers to guard penguin colonies over summer — the little penguin’s peak breeding season. The Government has also increased the penalties for allowing a pet to hurt vulnerable species such as the little penguin.

“I implore the Government to attach a line item in the next budget, or provide special funds to the group,” Dr Byrne said.

“With the ACT passing new animal welfare laws this week, it is clear that there is an appetite for greater protection of animals, whether they are in our care or living wild.”