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Penguins - Source: ONE News
The Department of Conservation is urging Otago dog owners to take extra care of their animals over the next two months following a fatal attack on a penguin near Dunedin last week.
An erect-crested penguin was attacked and killed by a dog south of Brighton.
Biodiversity Ranger Mel Young says penguins of all species come to the Otago coast to moult at this time of year.
She says the penguins are particularly vulnerable at this time, as they cannot enter the water to catch food and have little energy for defence.
DOC spokesman David Agnew says dog owners need to be more vigilant because a lot of these birds have low numbers in their breeding colonies.
He says if members of the public see penguins in distress, or in a dangerous place, they should contact DOC so they can take them out of harm's way.
