Dogs Do Kill PenguinsOne of the objectives of the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust is to create and protect onshore breeding habitats for yellow-eyed penguins. These breeding areas are generally safe from attack by dogs as the reserve (or private) status prohibits dogs.
There is however the problem with regard to our pubic beaches where penguins come ashore and dog control is the issue. Dog owners appreciate the freedom of romping with unleashed dogs on the open beaches. At certain times of the year penguins (yellow-eyed, Fiordland crested, erect crested, Little Blue and Snares crested ) come ashore either as juveniles to rest for the night or as adults to moult.
This sometimes causes problems. A penguin is irresistible to most dogs as it has that fishy smell that can be air scented by dogs from a very long way off. Often well meaning dog owners only become aware of this when a penguin lies dead in a pile of feathers in the dunes. It takes only one bite to kill them.
Moulting birds and juveniles are totally defenceless. The moulting birds can't go to sea and they are not able to drive off a dog or dogs. The Trust supported by the Department of Conservation and the Yellow-eyed Penguin Consultative Group and other interested parties is trying to remedy this situation. Over the years the Trust has used the media as a means to educate beach using dog owners about the danger their dogs present to moulting penguins. More recently temporary laminated signs have been installed on city and other popular beaches where penguins are likely to come ashore to moult. The latest initiative (supported by the Department of Conservation and the Yellow-eyed Penguin Consultative Group) is to seek legal protection on wildlife sensitive beaches by requesting a change in the Clutha District Council Bylaws to prohibit dogs from the Kaimataitai Beach which bounds the Nugget Point Reserve. This new bylaw was adopted by the Clutha District Council in November 2002. Of course there are problems policing such a bylaw and the goodwill and cooperation of local landowners and residents is essential. As part of the consultation process the Trust notified adjacent landowners of its intention and the reasons for this. Only one respondent strongly objected to the by law proposal put forward by the Trust. The reasons given include that it was felt that this was another erosion of personal rights and freedoms and that such a rule isn't necessary for the protection of the birds. The Trust respects the opinions put forward and will work with these to further good relations. There is no doubt that there have been a number of birds injured and killed in this area, as adults cross Kaimataitai Beach to reach their breeding areas within the Nuggets Reserve. Similarly the chicks at fledging come down to the waters edge outside the boundary of the reserve and stand around until they are ready to go to sea.
The change in the status of the land near the Nuggets Reserve will undoubtedly set a trend where more sensitive wildlife sites can be better protected by the exclusion of dogs. There will, however, need to be some tolerance toward dog owners as they make these adjustments. Hopefully local bodies will come on board and help by creating excellent dog exercising facilities such as the one at Rotary Park away from wildlife zones. In the interim the Trust will continue to work with penguin conservation interests through out the region to over come the problem of dog kills.
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