Hooded Plover Conservation Regulator officers patrol beaches across Victoria’s south west
As hooded plover chicks hatch from their nests at beaches across Victoria’s south west, Conservation Regulator officers are patrolling local beaches to protect the threatened species.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
As hooded plover chicks hatch from their nests at beaches across Victoria’s south west, Conservation Regulator officers are patrolling local beaches to protect the threatened species.
Officers have been patrolling shorelines near Ocean Grove as they educate dog owners about how vulnerable the new chicks are to predators.
If a threat comes along, such as an off-leash dog, the new chicks cannot escape as they are too young to fly.
Chicks can start to fly once they are five weeks old, but in the meantime, they forage for their food on beaches and along the water’s edge.
The new chicks are tiny, less than seven centimetres long, and will appear on beaches throughout summer.
Conservation Regulator Forest and Wildlife Officers will monitor local beaches until the end of March, when the hooded plover nesting season ends.
Officers will be encouraging dog owners to keep an eye out for hooded plovers and associated nest fencing and signage, and ensure their pets are kept at a safe distance.
The Conservation Regulator works with BirdLife Australia in protecting this species.
The regulator investigates instances and reports of dogs harassing hooded plovers.
Significant penalties apply for dog owners whose pets destroy or disturb these birds or their nests.
Under the Wildlife Act 1975, allowing a dog to attack or chase wildlife is a crime, and the offence can be subject to a fine of up to $4,130.
MORE NEWS
GREAT OCEAN ROAD BABY SNAKE BITE PUTS MAN IN HOSPITAL
FOOD TRUCK THEFT LEADS POLICE ON 100KM CHASE
ILLEGAL CAMPERS CALLING THE SHOTS AT EASTERN BEACH
Originally published as Hooded Plover Conservation Regulator officers patrol beaches across Victoria’s south west
Dad bashed just hours after mum died, assault splits family
A court has been told of the “unique” circumstances that led to man assaulting his dementia-suffering father, just days before the 86-year-old died.
Man taken to hospital following vehicle accident at FedEx
A man believed to be in his 60s has been injured in a vehicle accident at a major international shipping organisation.