Dozens of the little seafarers have been rescued, only to die soon after, and several carcasses have been found along the coast between Warrnambool and Port Fairy in the past few weeks.

Wildlife Victoria's regional co-ordinator, Trecey Wilson of Koroit, said she had taken in about 20 distressed penguins in the past four weeks and knew of other carers in the region who had also tried to help the birds.

"They are very, very thin when we get them," she told The Standard.

"All have died within 12 hours of being found by beachgoers and brought in.

"I think it's definitely malnutrition.

"Maybe the rough weather tops them off with exhaustion.

"These birds can handle rough seas in good health.

"There are many issues involved in why they would be starving.

"I'd like to see more research to determine the cause. It certainly is a concern."

Ms Wilson said at least one had been found with a growth in its mouth.

She said there were some suggestions there was less food for penguins in the south-west because of recent migrations of blue whales close to shore, an influx of southern bluefin tuna and shearwaters, all of which fed on the penguins' food chain.

Warrnambool's Coastcare Landcare co-ordinator Kristie King was also concerned about the mortality.

"I tend to think it's something to do with the ocean conditions and food availability," she said.

"We are fairly confident it's not predators raiding the Middle Island colony.

"Sometimes predators attack them when they are washed onto the beach."

The Standard has been contacted by several people in the past week about dead or distressed penguins on local beaches.

A training day will be held at Heywood this Sunday (june19) for volunteer wildlife carers. So far about a dozen people have enrolled.

pcollins@standard.fairfax.com.au