FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

At the last count in 2019, there were approximately 300 little penguins left. Given the low productivity and increased adult mortality observed in 2021, we believe this number will have declined further with numbers estimated to be between 200 and 300. Scientists have been studying the island for over 30 years and we have data on the population dating back to 1987. Recent Mark-Recapture modelling has shown an 80% population decline between 2007 and 2019. Population estimates carried out in the late 80s and early 90s estimated the population to be around 450 – 700 in 1987 and 1000 in 1995. However, the estimates at the time only included penguins nesting on the eastern side of the island (which we think is about 60% of the total population) so did not include the entire island. Thus estimates are not comparable. So, while population fluctuations are normal, a decline of 80% in 15 years is not normal. If we wish to compare to the numbers estimated in 1995, this is still greater than 70% decline.

Climate change is playing a role, impacting food availability and also increasing heat stress in moulting adults and chicks. HOWEVER, other factors are at play as well including impacts on little penguin habitat from infrastructure and development, tourism (especially during heat waves), and boat strike (see below). Adult birds stay on land to moult their feathers Dec-Feb and are extremely vulnerable. On hot days they need access to water to stay cool and can be stressed and die if surrounded by tourists. If the penguins do manage to make it to the water to cool down, visitors can prevent them from returning, often frightening the penguins into deeper water where they can become hypothermic or water logged and drown. *A 1990s study showed lower breeding success due to human activity. Boat strike kills adult birds. Adults are the most important part of the population.

Accelerate plans to build a mainland Penguin Discovery Centre, and work with scientists and the community to come up with a recovery plan for Little Penguins. Immediate action is the key to conserving this unique colony. reduction in the number and timing of visitation on the island could significantly reduce impacts on the penguins. Consider a more long term closure to help the little penguins fully recover.

We’re very concerned the new Discovery Centre could contribute to wiping out the wild population of penguins on Penguin Island. It will be constructed through a large chunk of their sensitive breeding season. The construction will also disturb one of their favourite entry points to the island. There is evidence from around the country of construction of facilities resulting in lower breeding success. Now that the population is so small, why are we taking this risk? We are also concerned that a new Discovery Centre on the island will attract even more tourists. There are many examples of tourism impacting breeding success.

DBCA say the new centre will have a raised decking area, freeing up space for the penguins to nest and moult below. They say penguins use the space under the existing boardwalks to nest and moult BUT, just because they are there doesn’t mean they are not being impacted. Many animals (including penguins) don’t show any outward signs of disturbance but may be experiencing high levels of stress. We would need to measure the physiological response of the penguins to prove there is no effect of human presence. Other studies on penguins have shown that prolonged disturbance can increase their body temperature… for little penguins in summer this could be a deadly response. The nests that are made under the boardwalks are not monitored so we actually don’t know how successful they are.

We’ve not seen any projections from DBCA but we know the existing visitor centre attracts 130,000 visitors per year.

DBCA claim they used data produced by Penguin Island researchers to come up with their plan and guide positioning of the Centre. However, no formal consultation has taken place. Penguin researchers have been briefed on the centre and presented with problems to solve which might have been avoided completely if they’d been consulted in the first place. The first time the community, the City of Rockingham and the tourism operator knew anything more than scant details about the centre was when it was announced in the local press.

Little penguins are adaptable and resilient. Scientists absolutely believe there is a chance for populations to recover, even with a changing climate but we need to execute a proper plan, not just implement half-hearted patch up jobs. If we continue on this current pathway of doing little or nothing at all, we will lose this population for good. There are many considerations we need to understand better to tailor our response effectively for the penguins. First and foremost though, we should pursue a mainland Discovery Centre and continue to reduce visitor impacts on the island

There is no comparison between Phillip Island and Penguin Island. Philip Island has a bigger population and only a very small proportion of it – 10% - is exposed to tourism visits, which only occur for 1 hour a day in the evening. Scientists estimate that tourism on Penguin Island currently impacts up to 80% of the population for at least seven hours a day during the visitor season. Full consideration should be given to longer term island closures as part of a recovery plan for the species.

There were very different circumstances around the construction on Phillip Island. Thirteen nest boxes were relocated during recent construction of a highly disturbed area. The relocation was deemed a success, as breeding was observed some months later in all but 1 of the nest boxes. There were a number of factors that likely made this successful but a key factor was that there was close consultation and involvement with penguin biologists. There was also comprehensive work done prior to build to determine the best methods for minimum impact. Prior to choosing a site deemed suitable for relocating the boxes, a lot of time was invested at night to watch how penguins used different areas. Sites were chosen based on penguin movement pathways. There was intensive monitoring during and after the construction The nests were also originally located in an existing car park. So these birds were likely used to noise and vibration from vehicles. For the Penguin Island Discovery Centre, so far there has been very little consultation with scientists and the community.

Any loss of a species is a huge tragedy and will have consequences within the local ecosystem that could cause difficulties for other species. They are an integral part of marine food webs and are ecosystem engineers for Penguin Island, influencing soil structure and transferring nutrients to lower parts of the soil profile. These are Rockingham penguins – thought to be genetically unique and a source of pride and tourism dollars for the local community. They are irreplaceable and we should not give up fighting for them so easily.

There have been a number of strategies enacted to help the penguins, but more interventions and more drastic action is needed. The boardwalks you see on the island were installed to help keep the public off and away from key nesting sites. Newly designed nest boxes that provide greater protection against hot weather have also been installed in areas of low and disturbed vegetation. Rehabilitation of habitat is also underway. More recently, interventions such as hot day closures and sprinklers for moulting birds are being trialled. But these interventions may not be enough to offset the negative impacts associated with construction works, and visitors not receiving sufficient information about the island and its wildlife before they step off the ferry.

A mainland centre at Mersey Point can open year-round and for longer hours. Its educational experiences will be accessible to more of the community. DBCA might be against this option because it does not own the land at Mersey Point and so will be less of a revenue raiser for them. However, it will go a long way to helping the population of wild penguins on Penguin Island get some breathing space and recover. Supported by longer closures to visitors and stricter limitations on visitor numbers, the island should primarily be used for research allowing for the recovery of the little penguin population. Another point here is the welfare of the captive penguins! Every year they are shifted off the island over winter and then back again for the visitor season. This can be very stressful for these birds. The ability for keepers and husbandry staff to always tend the captive birds will be beneficial.

Key items include a dedicated little penguin management plan, funding for monitoring and related management-relevant research, support of community engagement and education on penguins and instigating island closures during heat wave events.

While Garden Island boasts its own unique colony of Little Penguins, it's essential to note that this population is distinct from the Rockingham colony. Established in the 1970s following the construction of the causeway and harbor, the Garden Island colony thrives in artificial habitats such as rocks and nest boxes, relying on Cockburn Sound for sustenance. However, movement between the two colonies is rare. The Garden Island colony faces its own set of challenges, particularly in light of potential future developments in Cockburn Sound. Preserving both the Rockingham and Garden Island colonies is crucial for maintaining the delicate balance of local ecosystems. By supporting conservation efforts for both colonies, we can ensure the long-term sustainability and well-being of Rockingham's Little Penguin population.

Little penguins are a resilient species that have the capacity to adapt to changing marine environmental conditions. However, it's imperative that we think innovatively and take action now to safeguard Rockingham's Little Penguin population. Human intervention will play a critical role in their conservation. Conservation scientists worldwide are exploring novel approaches to manage climate threats, and we can draw inspiration from these initiatives. Some promising suggestions include deploying fish aggregating devices to attract fish closer to breeding grounds, ensuring a readily available food source for the penguins. Additionally, supplementing the colony through captive breeding and release programs can bolster their numbers and genetic diversity, providing a vital lifeline for the population. By embracing creative solutions and actively supporting conservation efforts, we can make a meaningful difference in the preservation of Rockingham's Little Penguins for generations to come.