The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment is calling for public assistance to determine the circumstances behind the deaths.

The department’s Natural and Cultural Heritage Division wildlife enforcement rangers were onsite near Bicheno investigating the deaths after they were reported by a member of the public early Friday morning.

The bodies of the penguins were collected and taken to the department’s Mount Pleasant laboratory for veterinary pathology in an effort to determine the cause of death.

Wildlife Enforcement Section head Luke Bond said though the cause of death was being investigated, the department would like to head from any community members who have information.

“At this stage we believe the deaths have occured in the last 12 hours or so,” he said.

“We are appreciative of the public support so far that saw the discovery of the birds promptly reported.

“We are now hoping to hear from anyone else who may have been in the area that can assist us in understanding circumstances around these deaths.”

Contact the department’s Wildlife Enforcement Section on 0417 661 234 with information.

Information can be provided anonymously.