Australians are being urged to avoid little penguin colonies on a major tourist island in the country’s south this Christmas, where populations have decreased by an incredible 98 per cent in recent years.
Two decades ago, there were some 1,600 little penguins on Granite Island, 100 kilometres south of Adelaide in South Australia. But now, that number has dropped to just 30 adults in 2024.
New research conducted by Flinders University shone a light on parent-offspring relationships among penguin inhabitants on the island at Victor Harbor, revealing the need for fewer interactions from human visitors in order for them to survive.
Capturing never-before-seen interactions using carefully collected remote red-light video surveillance, Dr Diane Colombelli-Négrel said her findings suggested penguins can be “bolder and more aggressive, in response to nest defence and intrusion” by people.
“Please make sure to keep your distance when approaching penguins’ nesting areas to help minimise stress during these challenging times,” Colombelli-Négrel told Yahoo News Australia.
She said that while, “we found a penguin’s boldness has no bearing on its performance as a parent”, the flight response can put the animals under stress.
Two decades ago, there were 1,600 adult little penguins on Granite Island. Now there are just 30. Source: Supplied
Public told to avoid little penguins these holidays
With the colony fighting to survive, it’s paramount human disturbance on the island — where it’s estimated some 800,000 people tour every year — is minimised.
“As the summer holidays approach, we urge the public to stay away from the Granite Island penguin nests, and help save these animals by reporting dangers to their habitat,” Colombelli-Négrel said.
“Urban developments and human activities are encroaching on our natural habitats at a rapidly increasing rate, placing many species under stress from anthropogenic (human) disturbance.
“Our results… highlight the importance of limiting interactions between human visitors and penguins.”
Why are little penguin numbers declining on Granite Island?
The sharp decrease of little penguins on Granite Island can be attributed to a combination of factors.
Predation by introduced species such as foxes and black rats, competition for food with other marine predators like fur seals, and environmental changes such as rising sea surface temperatures and reduced river outflows during droughts are but just a few.
These environmental shifts affect food availability, particularly the small fish penguins rely on.
Human activity and habitat disruption also played a role in their decline. Conservation efforts, including predator control programs, night closures on the island, and improved monitoring, aim to stabilise and restore their numbers.
The decline of these penguins has also impacted tourism, as the species was once a key attraction for Granite Island visitors, locals say.
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