Granite Island penguins are bolder and more aggressive than those in less disturbed places
3 months, 1 week ago

Granite Island penguins are bolder and more aggressive than those in less disturbed places

ABC  

A Flinders University researcher says the 30 little penguins that nest on Granite Island are bolder than those in other South Australian colonies, and ongoing study of their lives shows the need to limit the impact of tourists. Diane Colombelli-Negrel said initial research carried out in 2021 compared the behaviour of the penguins living on Granite Island to those at Penneshaw, Emu Bay on Kangaroo Island, and on Troubridge Island, off the coast of southern Yorke Peninsula. "They are definitely bolder on Granite Island, compared to other colonies," Dr Colombelli-Negrel said, noting that the least bold birds on Troubridge Island had very little interaction with humans. Chicken and egg situation Dr Colombelli-Negrel said it was unknown whether the tendency towards bold behaviour was a learned response to the high level of disturbances experienced by the birds on Granite Island.

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History of this topic

Rockingham locals call for action as Penguin Island wildlife colony approaches extinction
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Rockingham locals call for action as Penguin Island wildlife colony approaches extinction

ABC  

In short: Researchers believe there are only 114 little penguins left on Penguin Island. Researchers believe there are only 114 little penguins left on Penguin Island. Rockingham citizens dressed in penguin onesies took to the streets at the weekend as part of a campaign pushing for state government funding towards a scientist-led little penguin action plan. Save Rockingham's Little Penguins …

Little penguin mass death reported along South Australia's south coast as birds wash up at Goolwa
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Little penguin mass death reported along South Australia's south coast as birds wash up at Goolwa

ABC  

In short: Environment authorities are looking into the deaths of as many as 30 little penguins, which washed up at a South Australian beach over the weekend, in addition to dozens of deaths this year. Environment authorities are looking into the deaths of as many as 30 little penguins, which washed up at a South Australian beach over the weekend, …

Phillip Island's little penguin colony passes 40,000 as climate change leads to more mating
1 year, 1 month ago

Phillip Island's little penguin colony passes 40,000 as climate change leads to more mating

ABC  

Polyamorous little penguins living on Phillip Island, off Australia's southern coast, are having so much sex there are now more than 40,000 of them — and it is all thanks to climate change. Key points: Phillip Island's little penguin colony is growing as rising sea temperatures lead to more fish With more energy, the animals are mating twice each season, …

Researchers raise concerns after spike in little penguin deaths around Encounter Bay following SA flooding
2 years, 1 month ago

Researchers raise concerns after spike in little penguin deaths around Encounter Bay following SA flooding

ABC  

The number of little penguins being found dead along South Australia's South Coast over the summer has raised concerns for local volunteers and researchers. Key points: The remains of eight little penguins have been found along South Australia's South Coast over a three-week period The deaths have coincided with the floodwaters from the Murray River entering Encounter Bay Necropsies will …

Rockingham community celebrates protections for penguin colony
2 years, 6 months ago

Rockingham community celebrates protections for penguin colony

ABC  

The state government has abandoned plans for a $3.3 million discovery centre on Rockingham's Penguin Island. Key points: The little penguin population has declined 80 per cent since 2007 Campaigners said a new tourist centre on Penguin Island would be disastrous for breeding The state government will restrict visits to the island during breeding and moulting periods It came amid …

Victor Harbor council works hard to protect little penguins, but says it needs SA government help too
2 years, 11 months ago

Victor Harbor council works hard to protect little penguins, but says it needs SA government help too

ABC  

A coastal South Australian council is pleading for state government assistance in protecting what remains of its decimated little penguin colony. Key points: Victor Harbor council is asking the state government for more help in managing its little penguin colony There are about 20 little penguins left on Granite Island, down from 1,600 in the early 2000s The environment department …

New breeding pairs discovered among embattled Granite Island penguin population
3 years, 4 months ago

New breeding pairs discovered among embattled Granite Island penguin population

ABC  

Little penguin numbers on Granite Island have increased for the first time since fox attacks threatened to wipe them out, but researchers warn it is too early to say whether the population is recovering. Key points: The little penguin population on Granite Island has increased from 16 to 20 The burrows are filled with 10 different breeding pairs, including two …

Arrival of northern rockhopper penguins on WA shores raises questions about species
3 years, 9 months ago

Arrival of northern rockhopper penguins on WA shores raises questions about species

ABC  

Scientists are investigating why a species of penguin not known to frequent Western Australia's south coast has increased its visits. Key points: Two northern rockhopper penguins have been recovered from south coast beaches Researchers are trying to find out what's bringing them to local waters The penguins travelled about 4000km from islands in the southern Indian Ocean Two northern rockhopper …

Antarctic penguin colonies decline 77 percent in 50 years
5 years, 1 month ago

Antarctic penguin colonies decline 77 percent in 50 years

Al Jazeera  

Researchers studying chinstrap penguins in the Antarctic have found drastic reductions in many colonies, with some declining by as much as 77 percent since they were last surveyed almost 50 years ago. “Such significant declines suggest that the Southern Ocean’s ecosystem is fundamentally changed from 50 years ago, and that the impacts of this are rippling up the food web …

Influx of penguin visitors to WA prompts warning from wildlife officers
6 years, 2 months ago

Influx of penguin visitors to WA prompts warning from wildlife officers

ABC  

Western Australian beachgoers have been amazed to see penguins on beaches in the southern part of the state, with as many as eight different Rockhopper penguins spotted ashore since Christmas. Rockhopper penguins were not generally found in Australia and regional wildlife officer Pia Courtis said the animals were a long way from home. Margaret River wildlife carer Linda Moyle had …

Penguin Island's penguins in battle for survival against climate change, human threats
6 years, 7 months ago

Penguin Island's penguins in battle for survival against climate change, human threats

ABC  

They're small, cute and lure about 130,000 visitors to their island every year. The 12-hectare island is just 600 metres off the coast of Rockingham, in Perth's south, and home to about 1000 little penguins, the largest colony that far west in the world. "Since then those sea surface temperatures have been above average in most years and particularly in …

Scientists find a previously unknown mega-colony of penguins on Antarctic islands
7 years ago

Scientists find a previously unknown mega-colony of penguins on Antarctic islands

CNN  

CNN — If you ever find yourself hanging out on Antarctica’s Danger Islands, we hope you like penguins. A previously unknown “mega-colony” of Adelie penguins have been found on the islands, which sit on Antarctica’s northern tip. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Researchers estimate the Danger Islands hold the largest colonies of Adelie penguins in Antarctica and the third- and fourth-largest …

Little penguins from Australian east and west coasts stick to their own, researchers find
9 years, 10 months ago

Little penguins from Australian east and west coasts stick to their own, researchers find

ABC  

Little penguins from islands off the south-eastern and south-western coastlines of Australia tend to stick to their own, a 10-year study has found, with one exception - colonies on Kangaroo Island. The scientists from the University of Tasmania, Deakin University in Melbourne, University College London and the Phillip Island Nature Park set out to examine how often little penguins leave …

Little penguins count confirms bleak outlook
12 years, 7 months ago

Little penguins count confirms bleak outlook

ABC  

A further count of little penguins on Granite Island at Victor Harbor has confirmed a colony of just 26. Natalie Bool from the friends' group says the South Australian Environment Department must step up efforts to tackle the problem. "We need to have a co-ordinated effort to actually put research into little penguins in the state and also their problems, …

Penguins Of Phillip Island Are Australia's Cutest Tourist Attraction (PHOTOS)
13 years, 4 months ago

Penguins Of Phillip Island Are Australia's Cutest Tourist Attraction (PHOTOS)

Huff Post  

Sure Australia has its koalas and kangaroos, and even those darn dingoes, but isn't it about time its penguins get their due? Australia's cuties will waddle into our living rooms--and hearts--as part of the three-part "Penguin Island" series. Each evening on Australia's Phillip Island-- aka Penguin Island --wild little penguins lead a "penguin parade" as they come to burrow in …

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