Penguin dies after dog attack near Oamaru

The Department of Conservation said the moulting Snares crested penguin had fresh puncture wounds when it was discovered at Campbells Bay, Kakanui, on January 18.

The fatally-injured Snares penguin was sent to Dunedin's newly opened wildlife hospital for treatment but died not long after arriving.

Vet Lisa Argilla undertook a post mortem on the bird and says it died from internal trauma characteristic of a dog attack.

"In my experience the internal injuries these birds sustain from dog attacks are usually catastrophic and the external injuries do not show the extent of the damage.

"Dogs usually shake the bird very violently leading to internal injuries that can cause very slow and painful deaths for the birds."

News of the attack comes a day after the Timaru District Council indicated that dogs are almost certainly to be banned from Caroline Bay over summer after protests from penguin protection groups.

DOC wants the public to be aware that moulting penguins are particularly vulnerable at this time of year.

"Penguins come ashore to moult all along our coastline so people need to be vigilant, particularly where dog walking is popular," said DOC Ranger Tom Waterhouse.

Moulting occurs in most species of penguin from January to the end of April but kororā/little penguin can start as early as November. In New Zealand the main species to watch out for are kororā, hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin and tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin along with the little blue penguins around the Caroline Bay area of Timaru.

"We also get occasional visitors such as this Snares crested penguin from the subantarctic islands along with erect crested and eastern rockhopper penguins," Waterhouse added.

"Unlike other bird species, penguins replace all their feathers at once. During this time, penguins spend two to three weeks on land and rarely go to sea so it is a particularly vulnerable period for them. They are easily stressed, there's an increased risk of de-hydration and starvation and they cannot escape predators easily.

"Dog owners are required by law to ensure their dog does not injure, or cause distress to wildlife and other animals, whether the dog's on a lead or running free. Even the most loving or well behaving dog is capable of hurting or scaring a penguin.

"Dog owners and other beach goers need to be vigilant and help us to protect the awesome native wildlife we share our beaches with"

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Penguin dies after dog attack near Oamaru