Australian Snipers to Guard Fairy Penguins at Night

The "little penguin" is the smallest known species of penguin on our planet. Fully grown, this penguin only stands about 16" tall, making an adult smaller than a 2 liter bottle of soda. Their tiny size and unique blue plumage has led Australians and New Zealanders to refer to them as "Fairy Penguins." These tiny seabirds are in big trouble, as a threatened population has been attacked repeatedly under the cover of night, leaving no evidence save a tiny, mutilated corpse on the sand.

Australia's parks and wildlife authority responded to these killings in a serious manner this weekend, by instating a new program to protect these tiny birds. While other countries might post signs warning people of the penguin habitat and give the species deep legal protection, survival in Australia seems to demand a more visceral solution. Beginning this weekend, and extending indefinitely, rangers equipped with sniper rifles and night vision goggles will be keeping vigil over the little penguins at all times.

This decision came after initial autopsies on the dead penguins showed markings that would be consistent with an attack from foxes or dogs. According to the Sydney Parks and Wildlife Service, "foxes are little known nuisance animal, and this is really a microcosm of the devastation foxes can wreak in some areas." Wild dogs, strays, and domesticated animals allowed to roam untethered are still suspect in the penguin killings.

This isn't the first time Australia has used unconventional methods to guard the little penguins. In south-west Victoria, specially trained sheepdogs were made to act as bodyguards for little penguin colonies and to fend off would-be attackers. Previous to that programs creation, the little penguin population plummeted by 90%.

Vigilante activists from the Manly Environment Centre vowed to do "whatever it takes" to protect the penguins, and keep vigil over the penguins during daylight hours, and alongside the snipers at night.

"They are being attacked when they have a full belly of fish, or when they are mating out of their burrows and not really paying attention," said Angelika Treichler, the group's spokeswoman. The group is pleading with dog owners in the region to be especially vigilant concerning their animal's roaming.

The National Parks and Wildlife service went on record stating that they would keep the sharpshooters stationed on the fairy penguin habitat until the population's safety is assured. Australia sees a steady stream of eco-tourists each year who wait for the little penguins to return from their daytime fishing at sunset. This daily event has come to be called the penguin parade.

What's your opinion on Australia's response to the penguin deaths? We covered the seal cullings of Canada and Namibia, as well as California's own Gray Wolf hunt. Are we being good stewards by protecting the non-endangered fairy penguins from predators, or are we simply substituting the natural suffering of one animal for the man-made suffering of another? Let us know how you feel in the comments below.