The blue penguins that have been washing up dead along Bay of Plenty beaches are not the victims of foul play.

Tauranga biodiversity programme manager for the Department of Conservation (DOC), Chris Clark says the deaths are simply a natural phenomenon at this time of the year.
'This time of year is always challenging for the local penguin population. Juveniles that have left their nests will sometimes fail to forage or get caught in stormy seas, and die.”
DOC staff have been testing local samples in the wake of the unexplained dog and wildlife deaths on Auckland beaches but have found the causes to be either starvation or parasites.
Only 30 per cent of chicks survive into adulthood and Chris says juvenile penguins often get exhausted after a storm and come ashore to rest. However some are left so exhausted they are unable to fend for themselves.
DOC advises anyone finding a dead penguin to either leave it or bury it on the beach. Anyone finding an exhausted bird should place it under vegetation in the rear dune out of sight of passersby. Anyone finding an injured penguin can phone DOC on 07 578 7677 or 0800 362 468 after hours.