Summer patrols set to protect St Kilda’s penguin colony from thoughtless tourists taking selfies

STATE wildlife officers have started patrols around St Kilda Pier to crack down on visitors who are terrorising a penguin colony with their selfie sticks.

St Kilda’s Little Penguin colony is under attack from inconsiderate visitors. Picture: Jay Town

INNER-CITY penguins are under attack from annoying tourists with selfie sticks at a popular beachside attraction.

Wildlife officers have started patrols at St Kilda pier to protect a colony of Little penguins from inconsiderate visitors who harass the creatures, even killing some.

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PARKS VICTORIA UNVEILS NEW ST KILDA PIER DESIGN

More than 2000 people are expected to visit the area on weekdays during summer and around 4000 a day on weekends.

Department of Environment, Land, Planning and Water officer Suriya Vij said the new patrols with Parks Victoria staff would support year-round checks by volunteers from Earthcare St Kilda.

Penguins have died after inconsiderate tourists picked them up. Picture: Jay Town

“While the vast majority of visitors are well behaved and respect the Little penguins, unfortunately some people try to pick up the birds or put selfie sticks into their burrows,” she said.

“Sadly, last year two penguins were fatally injured when picked up.

“We are educating the public that it is illegal to disturb, harm or harass wildlife under the Wildlife Act, which includes touching them or picking up the penguins.”

Also protecting the penguins are new security cameras, fencing and signage upgrades under a $250,000 state government investment for the area.

The penguins live in the St Kilda breakwater. Picture: Jay Town

Parks Victoria Ranger Morgan Pumpa and Forrest and Wildlife Officer Katie Knight. Picture: Jay Town

The penguins live in the St Kilda breakwater where they burrow under rocks and into soil to protect themselves from the weather and to house their chicks.

Ms Vij said that while it was OK to photograph the penguins from a “respectful” distance, flashes were discouraged because they frighten and disorientate them.

Parks Victoria West Port Phillip area chief ranger Stephen McPhee said: “We encourage visitors to do the right thing and watch the penguins from the human side of the fence.”

“It’s such a privilege to have these Little penguins in St Kilda and it’s really important that we protect them.”

The DELWP and Parks Victoria patrols will run until March 2018, and then their effectiveness will be assessed.

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@JMasanauskas