Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Environment spokesperson
Reports of yet another penguin attack is truly devastating news. The little penguin deaths at Bicheno are the last thing the local community, bird lovers and conservationists would want to hear.
Thirteen little penguins were today found dead near the Bicheno blowhole, with cause of death yet to be determined – but likely to be from dog attack.
This takes the number of little penguins killed in various colonies from dog attacks this past year to at least 183. These are shocking numbers.
The Hodgman Government is wasting time by only focussing on legislation for tougher penalties for dog owners. This is clearly just a small part of the solution.
Experts have been calling for resourcing to map population places and penguin numbers, surveillance cameras and enforcement. Even the highest of fines won’t stop dogs and their irresponsible owners if they’re never caught.
The Hodgman Government has totally distorted priorities, which are only adding to the decline in penguins.
The Liberals are more intent on opening up reserves for private exploitation than on looking after the survival of the very wildlife visitors come to see.
BirdLife Tasmania said recently the existence of penguins on our island is now tenuous. We are watching these little penguins slip away before our eyes, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
It’s about priorities and it’s up to the Minister for the Environment to take a stand for our little penguins.