Dozens of little blue penguins have washed up dead on
Whangarei's eastern beaches, the Department of Conservation
(DOC) says.
Concerned locals have reported seeing dead penguins at Ocean
Beach, Urquharts Bay, Langs Beach, Waipu and Mangawhai.
DOC ranger Bryce Lummis said the birds were likely to have
succumbed to strong winds that swept the region two weeks
ago.
"When the strong easterlies hit the penguins and they are
weak, a lot of natural attrition occurs; this is a sad but
common phenomenon for little blue penguins," he said.
"Some of the penguins are likely to be older birds coming in
to die. Others are probably females who have been hit hard by
the storm not long after having young... others are often
just looking for somewhere to rest."
Mr Lummis said specimens had been sent to Massey University
Veterinary Clinic to confirm the cause of death.
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