Dog kills penguins on Australian island

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KANGAROO ISLAND, Australia, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- More than a dozen rare Little Penguins have been killed by a dog on South Australia's Kangaroo Island.

A backpacker found the remains Sunday morning on a beach on the island off the southern coast of South Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

In the past, dog attacks on the species of penguins, which stand no more 16 inches in height, were common but have been reduced in recent years.

Kangaroo Island is a popular tourist destination with wildlife viewing a prime activity. The Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) is the smallest species of penguin and are about 43 centimeters (16 inches) tall. It is found on the coastlines of southern Australia and New Zealand.