Dead little penguins washed up on multiple Eyre Peninsula beaches
Dead penguins have been found washed up on beaches in the Eyre Peninsula, prompting concerns from locals.
Other dead marine life has appeared on South Australian beaches in recent months as a result of a toxic algal bloom.
The Department of Environment and Water (DEW) said it was unclear if the new penguin deaths were linked to the ongoing microalgae bloom Karenia mikimotoi.
Krista Eleftherieu, who grew up exploring the West Coast, said she came across a dead little penguin at Almonta Beach in Coffin Bay National Park on Tuesday.
"It was obviously quite sad and I didn't think much of it, but then kept walking and there was another one about 30 metres away," Ms Eleftherieu said.
"And probably 50 to 100 metres away, were another two washed up on the beach.
A DEW spokesperson said it was aware of reports of four penguin carcasses at Almonta Beach.
"Penguin carcasses do wash up on South Australian beaches from time to time, including in Coffin Bay National Park," they said.
"There are a variety of possible causes of penguin deaths, including terrestrial and marine predators, starvation and fatigue associated with changes in food availability, storm events, ingestion of plastics, natural disease and entanglement in fishing nets."
District Council of Streaky Bay mayor Travis Barber said he came across a dead penguin and a dead mutton bird last weekend while walking his dog on a local beach.
"I reported those to [the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia] PIRSA and was told two other ones had been reported down the beach. It's a bit of a concern," Mr Barber said.
"I collected the bird out of the water and put it up on the high ground to report it so they could go and get it.
"I was told about the bird flu issue possibility and was told to go straight home and wash my hands.
"I hadn't any awareness of that so it is a good warning to people if they do find stuff, not to touch them or use a plastic bag."
PIRSA was contacted for comment.
The DEW spokesperson said the algal bloom was likely being driven by an ongoing marine heatwave affecting southern Australian waters, with water temperatures 2.5 degrees warmer than usual.
Mr Barker said water temperatures were "still quite high" in Streaky Bay compared to last year's cold upwelling, which brought temperatures down to 12 degrees Celsius in summer.
"When I was out only a couple of weeks ago it was still nearly 20C. That's really unusual for this time of year," he said.
The DEW spokesperson said the bloom was expected to remain present until the state received strong westerly winds, which historically started around the end of April.
"However, persistent high-pressure systems affecting southern Australia have delayed these winds. Nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom," they said.
The DEW encouraged anyone who discovered a dead or sick penguin to contact the PIRSA Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.
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