Photo: DoC / Brent Tandy / The Guardian
Little Blue or Fairy Penguin
(Eudyptula minor)
Two of the world's smallest and most vulnerable penguins have been stolen during an overnight raid on their nests in New Zealand. Little Blue Penguins, or Korora, are native to New Zealand and Australia. Two weeks ago two men with a crowbar made a late-night raid on a Little Blue Penguin burrow/nest at Perfume Point in Napier, on the North Island's east coast. The Department of Conservation believes the theives used the crowbar to pry heavy rocks off the burrow, and then hooked the tool around the birds' necks to pull them from their sanctuary. One penguin died in the attack, and two others were wrapped in towels and taken away likely destined for illegal wildlife trade. Locals in the area expressed shock at the incident. The local community plays a vital role in protecting the birds and the fragile coastal habitat. Korora are protected under the wildlife act and violators could face a $100,000 fine and up to two years in prison.
Photo: Fir0002
'...no penguin too small'
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BarrytheBirder
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