Victoriaâs wildlife watchdog is hunting three people accused of attacking a little penguin in the middle of tram tracks in Melbourne.
The Conservation Regulator on Tuesday pleaded for help to find the males, who were allegedly seen kicking a little penguin in the middle of tracks at Alfred Square and the Esplanade in St Kilda at about 11.30pm on 8 December.
An onlooker interrupted the group and moved the penguin to the beach near St Kilda pier before reporting the incident.
The regulator, which is investigating, released CCTV showing the attack on the penguin.
Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive, Stella Smith, described the incident as appalling, and said it was important those responsible be found and punished.
âItâs disturbing behaviour,â Smith said.
âThe community is always outraged when they see people hurting innocent animals.
âItâs important that [the alleged culprits are] found because we wouldnât want this to happen again and they need to understand that their behaviour is absolutely unacceptable.â
People who injure wildlife in Victoria can be fined more than $48,000 or jailed for 12 months.
Anyone with footage of or information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Several little penguins have been violently attacked in St Kilda over the years.
The regulator sought help to find five men accused of another attack on a little penguin at St Kilda in 2021.
At the time, authorities alleged the penguin was captured, thrown against a wall and kicked before it died.
