Cat is prime suspect in endangered little penguin deaths in Manly
Two endangered penguins have been killed in Manly in the last two weeks — and the prime suspect has been caught on camera. It follows a devastating killing spree in 2015 when a fox killed 26 birds.
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A cat is believed to be the prime suspect in the deaths of two endangered little penguins in Manly.
The feline, which could be domestic or feral, has been caught on a number of occasions on cameras monitoring the areas around North Head, where the remaining 60 to 70 breeding pairs of penguins nest.
Two penguins have been killed in the last two weeks for fun by an animal that did not eat them.
While it may not be the penguin killer, if the cat is caught and it has an owner, they could be prosecuted, a spokesman for the Office of Environment and Heritage told the Manly Daily.
Meanwhile, three foxes have also been trapped and killed in the last six weeks in areas where penguins are known to breed.
“No foxes were detected or controlled in the area where the two penguins were killed. However, a cat detected on monitoring cameras is now considered to be the prime culprit,” the spokesman said.
“Efforts will focus on controlling this cat.
“If the cat can be caught and its owner located it will be returned.
“The National Parks and Wildlife Service may consider prosecution.
“If the owner cannot be located it will be destroyed.
“Domestic animals are not permitted in any National Park area and pet owners are reminded that fox control includes baiting which is also effective against domestic dogs and cats.”
The colony was devastated by a fox in June 2015 which killed 26 little penguins at North Head over 11 days. Marksmen and dogs were brought in to try to catch it, which was said to be ‘thrill killing’ as it wasn’t eating the creatures.
A fox was eventually shot by a NPWS marksman after days of stake-outs.
At the time around 150 people volunteered to guard the penguins, with 15 working through each night to shield the breeding pairs from the killer.
The brazen killer animal was even captured on a night vision camera.
Manly is home to the only remaining breeding colony on the NSW mainland with approximately 60 to 70 breeding pairs living in secluded coves.
The little penguins’ breeding season general runs from June to February.
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