Sad reality of new 2.6km fence along busy Aussie road
The $96,000 project saw a 26-year-old fence replaced with a taller barrier after fears it had become a death trap, with holes allowing tiny creatures to get through and proceed into the path of passing cars.
Little penguins, which call the shores of the small coastal town of Lillico in northwest Tasmania home, were being killed in worrying numbers by road strikes along the Bass Highway, a major arterial road.
It comes as up to 20 little penguins a year were being killed on the stretch of road, along with other small native mammals.
Phillip Laroche, CEO of charity Wildcare Tasmania, which contributed funding to the project, told Yahoo News the fence will go a long way to help the "much-loved" species, hugely popular among tourists.
"The Bass Highway goes straight through the habitat for little penguins and a whole host of native species, some of which are vulnerable," he explained.
The fence was erected in a joint effort between Friends of the Lillico Penguins, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services and the Department of State Growth.
"They did a tremendous job," said Laroche, adding that the barrier was erected "very quickly", ensuring that the penguins are safe ahead of their breeding season, which runs from September to April. During the project, vegetation was cleared, trees were cut back, and 460kg of rubbish was removed from the area.
How Aussies can help 'vulnerable' creatures
Little penguin habitats across the country have become tourist hotspots. The delightful animals come to shore at night under the cover of darkness to avoid predators and access their burrows and nesting sites. The tiny creatures, which grow to just 33cm and weigh just 1 kg, face several threats, with Laroche describing them as "very vulnerable".
Along with the threat of road strikes, they are "defenceless" against feral cats and domestic dogs.
"Little penguins are easily startled, and if you are going to observe them, make sure that you take steps to minimise your impact," he said.
Laroche suggests the following tips to minimise your impact on the penguins:
Wear dark clothing
Maintain a reasonable distance
Do not interact with little penguins
Cover torches with red cellophane or use a red torchlight, because they are photosensitive
He added that beaches make up vital habitat for a number of native species, many of which are "very vulnerable" to human impacts.
"It's always important to remember that beaches are not just a place for humans and their pets to recreate," he said.
Laroche said that the efforts of Wildcare Tasmania rely on "the support of the public". Visit the website to donate.
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