A trust dedicated to protecting a sea and shorebird whose conservation status is At Risk-Declining has urged caution when driving on coastal roads after a recent death in the space of two months.
A “prime breeding” adult Tasman Bay blue penguin who had been incubating two eggs was killed in an alleged hit-and-run last Friday night near the Kaiteriteri boat ramp.
Trust president Linda Jenkins says another blue penguin died after colliding with a vehicle near the same boat ramp on June 27 and has urged drivers to slow down around local beaches and bays.
“Keep a look out for penguins on the road, especially after dusk and before dawn when they are coming and going from the sea,” she says.
“Car strike is a significant threat to our little blues...and avoidable if we just take care. Their conservation status is at risk/declining, they need our help.”
Linda says the little blue penguin which died on Friday was on its way back to its nest after a feeding trip at sea to take over the incubating duties so its partner could take its own feeding trip.
“The mate will wait days, hungry and losing condition but desperate to keep their precious eggs warm,” she says.
“In the end, survival instinct will kick in and it will head back out to sea, alone, hopefully with enough strength to hunt for food and regain the strength it needs to survive at sea.
“But maybe not, behind it will leave two abandoned eggs, a failed nest.”
To report an injured or distressed little blue penguin contact 0800 362 468.
