Penguins being killed by mystery predator in Australia
- 00:01:08
- ITN
Penguins being killed by mystery predator in Australia
Authorities at an Australian national park have brought in sharpshooters to protect penguins from an unknown predator. Nine penguins are so far known to have died at the Harbour National Park in Sydney, New South Wales. A fox or a dog is suspected of being the culprit. Officials have sent DNA samples to a lab for analysis but will not have clear results for at least a week. They can almost certainly rule out humans. The bite marks and blood patterns point to foxes, which often hold their prey in their mouths. Parks service officials have set traps and warned residents to keep dogs locked up or on a leash. They have also sent in two trained sharpshooters from the state pest authority, armed with night vision goggles and rifles. Sally Barnes, head of the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, said: "It's the only colony of little penguins in mainland New South Wales and we think we've got between 50 and 60 breeding pairs. "So, it's not a large colony, it's a wild colony, so when we lose nine it's very significant and we need to do everything we can to protect the colony."
ITN | July 16, 2009
