Mass kill prompts call

DNA tests urged to find dogs suspected in penguin deaths

THE discovery of another mass penguin kill has prompted a call for DNA tests to be done on the dead birds so the dogs believed to be responsible can be identified and the owners fined.

More than 130 little penguins have been killed on Tasmania’s beaches in the past year.

On Thursday, 34 carcasses were found at the Doctors Rocks Conservation area near Wynyard in the North-West and again it looks like dogs were responsible for the deaths.

It comes after 18 little penguins were killed at Picnic Point in Ulverstone in May and more than 80 found dead after three dog attacks at Low Head in the past year.

“We have to catch these people who just don’t seem to give a sh.t what their dogs do,” Greens Senator Peter WhishWilson said. “We are hearing report after report of penguins being slaughtered but no one ever gets prosecuted.”

He said Tasmania needed to get serious about stopping the carnage including increasing fines, using DNA testing to identify dogs and the owners, learning more about the use of Maemma dogs to protect penguin colonies as they do in Warnambool in Victoria and employing more rangers to act as guards and prosecutors.

Eric Whoeler from Birdlife Tasmania has suggested a penalty of $1000 per dead penguin would send a message to dog owners that the state values its little penguin population.

Senator Whish-Wilson, who three years ago suggested snipers be used to shoot dogs near penguin colonies, said he was angry and frustrated to hear more birds had been killed.

“The State Government has set up a penguin taskforce and an advisory group but I have heard they have only met once and have very little funding.

“I urge the Government to supply proper funding to allow these groups to get on with the job they were set up to do.”

A Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman said, so far, 34 little penguin carcasses had been recovered at Doctors Rocks.

“Preliminary investigations indicate the birds may have died as a result of a dog attack,” PWS said.

“The penguin carcasses will be taken to Mt Pleasant Laboratories for examination to try to confirm the cause of death.”

Premier Will Hodgman labelled the attack “appalling”.

“We are acting and elevating efforts to reduce the occurrence of such events and also reviewing the laws to adequately protect our wildlife,” Mr Hodgman said.

He said extra rangers would also be stationed in high-risk areas such as Low Head.

“But ultimately pet owners need to be aware of their responsibilities and we need strong enough laws to reinforce that message.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Parks and Wildlife on 0488 184 847 or compliance@parks.tas.gov.au.