Dead penguin found at bay
The discovery of a dead little blue penguin at Caroline Bay has authorities asking people to report any other fatalities.
The advice from the Department of Conservation (DOC) comes after the discovery of the penguin yesterday morning.
The town’s penguin protection group believes the penguin is from Banks Peninsula – the first from that area to be discovered on Caroline Bay.
The penguin’s cause of death could not be established but DOC said it had not received any reports of dog mauling.
DOC Geraldine operations manager Duncan Toogood urged people to contact them if they came across any dead birds with a band on their flipper. A band showed the bird had been recorded and was being monitored, he said.
He said people should always expect to find penguins and other wildlife on beaches.
‘‘Sadly sometimes people may come across dead animals and birds like this little penguin.
‘‘DOC generally takes a ‘hands off’ approach to wildlife on beaches unless they are being harassed, are sick, injured or in danger.’’
He also reminded people to keep their dogs under control when exercising them on the beach.
‘‘When you do come across wildlife, please remember to always give them at least 20 metres space,’’ Toogood said.
The main protection measure for Timaru’s penguins is the dog exclusion time period on Caroline Bay enforced by the Timaru District Council.
Timaru Penguins co-ordinator Peter Bennett believes the penguin was from Banks Peninsula as it had ‘‘distinct white edges on its flippers’’.
This was about the fifth penguin from Banks Peninsula found in Timaru, Bennett said.