Little Blue Penquin about to come ashore : The sign at Days Bay
Recent incidents where little blue penguins have been killed crossing Wellington?s coastal roads has prompted an appeal from the Department of Conservation (DOC). Concerned about the impact of the deaths on Wellington?s penguin population, the DOC is asking the public to drive with care and watch out for penguins crossing the road to reach their burrows, particularly commonplace around Days Bay & Eastbourne. ?They are the world?s smallest penguin at only around 30cm high, are hard to see as they come ashore in the evening and don?t stand a chance against a big metal car,? says DOC manager Kerry Swadlin. There are only thought to be around 600 nesting pairs of blue penguins living in and around Wellington with the latest losses a real blow to the population. ?Penguins are starting to pair up in preparation for the breeding season, so any losses now may impact chick numbers later in the season,? says DOC biodiversity ranger Brent Tandy. ?Penguins are often forced to cross coastal roads to get to their burrows. If you are out driving along the coast when penguins would typically be coming ashore or going back out to sea (dawn and dusk) we ask that people be extra vigilant and slow down if possible?. If you find an injured little blue penguin call the 24 hour DOC emergency hotline 0800 DOCHOT (0).
