Tasmania’s little penguins in peril from tourists behaving badly
Alarming reports of tourists taking selfies with little penguins and poking sticks down their burrows are set to be discussed at a meeting of concerned Bicheno residents.
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Alarming reports of tourists taking selfies with little penguins and poking sticks down their burrows are set to be discussed at a meeting of concerned Bicheno residents
The East Coast community will come together to nut out how dog and feral cat attacks as well as human interference with the little penguin population can be reduced as the holiday spot becomes increasingly popular with tourists.
Eric Woehler, from Birds Tasmania, says penguins are being harassed at colonies right across the state.
“I have had many reports that this is happening on Bruny Island as well,” Dr Woehler said.
The public meeting in Bicheno has been organised by local environmental group Earth Ocean Network in response to the death of 45 penguins at Bicheno late last November.
Dogs were later found to have caused the deaths.
Earth Ocean Network spokeswoman Lucy Landon-Lane said serious concerns had been raised about inappropriate behaviour by some visitors who chose to not go on a supervised penguin tour.
“We have heard stories of penguins being picked up for selfies, people poking sticks down burrows, and harassing the penguins as they come out of the ocean with bright lights,” she said.
“Bicheno relies on tourism for our economy, and many people who come here want to see penguins which is wonderful, and we need to ensure that these vulnerable birds are respected and cared for as best we can.
“Penguin numbers are incredibly low this year and we need to give them as much protection as we are able, to ensure that they flourish on our shores. We need action to come from this meeting.”
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Dr Woehler said action from wildlife authorities was needed to stop the harassment.
“While most visitors will declare their intention to ‘do the right thing’, they also know the chances of being caught and prosecuted are nil with the complete absence of PWS staff on the ground,” Dr Woehler said.
The George Town Council this month voted to declare a penguin rookery at Low Head a protected area following the death last year of more than 70 birds in a dog attack.
The council said declaring the area north of Gunns Parade as a “little penguins rookery protected area” under the council’s dog management policy gave it a vehicle to
enforce more stringent controls on domestic animals.
Fences will be built to provide constant restriction to dogs and signs erected to inform
visitors they are entering a protected area and suggest more dog-friendly beach locations.
The public meeting in Bicheno will be held at the Bicheno Community Halll in Burgess St from 10.30am– 12.30pm on Wednesday, January 30.
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