Spotted a Dead Penguin?
If you find a dead Kororā along Mount Maunganui beaches, Papamoa beaches or along other Tauranga coastlines, we want to know!
Western Bay Wildlife Trust maintains a database of Kororā (Little Blue Penguin) mortality. This enables us to monitor the quantity and causes of death, to help inform and improve conservation efforts throughout the country.
If you come across a dead penguin, it will be lifeless. They are usually found along the high tide line where they have washed up. You might also find them above the high tide line after stormy weather.
Some of our local population are marked with PIT-Tags/Microchips. These birds play a crucial part in our long-term research, providing us with key insights about their survival and movements. WBWT holds a special mortality permit for this purpose.
To Report Your Sighting
Please send us an email (westernbaywildlife@gmail.com) with a photo, time and exact location. The more info you provide, the easier it is for us to follow up and include the specimen in our research.
If you suspect a dog attack has killed the penguin, please mention this in the subject line, so we can act immediately and report it to DOC and Tauranga City Council as well.
If you have the iNaturalist app, please also log your find for nationwide research.
For Dead Penguins Outside of Our Area
If you find a dead Kororā (Little Blue Penguin) outside of the Mount Maungaui/Papamoa or Tauranga area, please take a photo and log your findings on the iNaturalist app.
If you suspect a dog attack has killed the penguin, please also report it to NZ Penguin Initiative via their National Dog Attack Reporting page.
Thank you for looking out for our Kororā!
Spotted a sick or injured penguin? Find out more here:
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