Little Penguin Population Estimate Report
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Penguin Island is a popular destination within the City of Rockingham and is a major consideration in the City’s environmental and tourism strategies. Accordingly, the City provided $37,000 in funding for the study to help ensure that the City’s ongoing advocacy efforts to sustain the penguin population will be better informed.
The 2023 Little Penguin Population Estimate Report, conducted by Dr Belinda Cannell from UWA, found that, for the period of the study, the population on Penguin Island has decreased by approximately 64% since the last population estimate in 2019, and by approximately 94% since 2008.
The primary cause of the significant decrease in penguin numbers is thought to be the increasingly warmer water impacting on the penguin’s food sources as a result of changing climatic conditions. Other factors likely to be contributing to the decline include injuries caused by watercraft, and increasing land temperatures.
The population study received in-kind support from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) which manages Penguin Island and the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park with assistance from the Department of Defence.
“DBCA appreciates the history of research in this area and will continue to assist ongoing monitoring of the wild little penguin population. This important scientific work continues to assist DBCA in its management of Penguin Island,” said Benson Todd, DBCA Swan Regional Manager.
City staff, DBCA staff and expert researchers from Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia continue to meet regularly to identify management and research priorities that can be implemented in an effort to support the population and reduce any further declines.
City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin said the City will be working closely with DBCA to support the conservation of the little penguins.
“The little penguin species and Penguin Island itself are iconic to the City of Rockingham, and we look forward to working with the State Government, which has responsibility for the management of Penguin Island and the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, and other stakeholders to ensure the long term sustainability of the population” Mayor Hamblin said.