Dogs impounded after killing endangered penguins in Simon’s Town
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has removed two husky dogs from a residential property in Simon’s Town following the killing of approximately 19 African penguins.
The off-leash dogs killed the endangered penguins over the weekend.
This after the Cape of Good Hope SPCA was alerted to the discovery of dead and dying penguins on Seaforth Beach by a jogger on Friday.
The birds’ death appeared to be caused by dog bites.
The African penguin is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Seaforth Beach is a prominent nesting site for around 150 endangered African penguins and is on the border of Boulders Beach – the world-famous African penguin breeding colony.
Several warning signs at the beach and parking lot inform visitors that off-leash dogs are not allowed.
The SPCA says it is in possession of an affidavit from an eyewitness who witnessed the incident.
"The eyewitness approached the dogs to try and stop them, but the dogs ran off. The eyewitness tried to follow the dogs but lost sight of them, and when he returned to the beach to assist the penguins, the dogs were back again, attacking the penguins. The eyewitness ran after the dogs and traced them to their home.”
ALSO READ:
