Marine oil spill
If there is evidence of an oil or contaminant spill, record exact location of spill and call Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Hotline on 1800 005 171. This is a 24 hour/7 days a week phone number.
The EPA will manage the investigation and response of any potential marine oil or contaminant spill.
Sampling of contaminant/oil on a bird
If you receive an oiled bird, to ensure appropriate and accurate analysis of the oil contaminant, it is
important that the following procedure for collection of samples is followed:
Use a piece of regular paper towel (or basic tissue, without aloe vera, etc) to wipe some of the contaminant off the animal before it is washed. Try to concentrate a swab onto a small section of the paper.
Repeat for a second sample.
Place each of these in separate, labelled food-safe snap lock bags, labelled ‘Sample A’ and ‘Sample B
Place a third, un-used piece of the paper towel or tissue used to collect the samples in a third separate food-safe snap lock bag. Label the third bag ‘Control’. This will allow the analysts to identify any background chemicals that may occur in the paper.
Advise the Marine Conservation Program you have collected samples and they can arrange collection for analysis.
If you suspect a dog attack on a colony
Please ring the on-call Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) compliance number 0488 184 847 or the NRE Tas Investigations and Enforcement (IES) on-call wildlife ranger on 0417 661 234 as soon as possible.
Rangers will manage the investigation into the dog attack and collect relevant evidence. If follow up animal welfare monitoring, investigation, or management is required PWS, or IES Wildlife Rangers will contact the Marine Conservation Program.
If possible, leave carcasses where you find them and don't disturb the surrounding area. This will allow compliance officers to analyse the scene. If a carcass is brought to you and you suspect dog attack, you can chill the carcass but do not freeze.
Useful information to have ready to pass on:
Your details
Precise location of the incident – if you have a mobile phone it is useful to ‘pin drop’ the location and
send through
How you found out about the incident including contact details of anyone reporting it to you
The approximate number of carcasses located
Any photos of the site or of carcasses
Injured or orphaned Little Penguins
If you find an injured or orphaned Little Penguin contact Bonorong Wildlife Rescue 0447 264 625 (all hours) for advice.