One little blue penguin has been killed and two stolen during a heist from a nest at Perfume Point in Napier.
The Department of Conservation has since become concerned about the potential smuggling of little blue penguin/kororā in Hawke's Bay, after receiving information about the capture and removal of the birds from the burrow.
DOC Hawke's Bay Compliance Officer Rod Hansen said they had received information about a late-night raid which happened last Thursday.
A woman was seen holding a torch while two men used a crowbar to capture three of the penguins. DOC suspects the crowbar was used to pry rocks off the penguin’s burrow and then hook the birds out around the neck.
One penguin died in the raid and was left behind, while the two surviving penguins were wrapped in towels and taken away by the group, which left in a small white four-door car.
"We are really concerned as we believe this might not be a one off," Mr Hansen said. He believed the penguin which died and was found floating nearby died from a head injury."
DOC is seeking CCTV footage from the surrounding area to find out where the birds were taken to.
"[DOC is] hoping members of the public may be able to come forward with further information," Mr Hansen said.
The organisation is working with other government agencies and has interviewed several people about the issue.
"This is particularly disturbing as it is a very vulnerable time for these wee penguins/kororā," he said. The penguins, which are the smallest species of penguin, moult from January through to March and stay in their burrows for protection.
"They are nocturnal animals, and the time this offence occurred in the evening, further suggests the poachers knew exactly when best to target the birds," Mr Hansen said.
The birds are often found around the New Zealand coastline, but their conservation status is declining.
Kororā are totally protected wildlife and people found committing offences could be punished with up to two years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Anyone who has any information about this please contact the Department on 06 8343111 or 0800DOCHOT.
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