Penguin cameras to help address threatening behaviour at Granite Island colony in Victor Harbor
VOLUNTEERS have found 44 little penguins nesting on Granite Island – a strong increase on last year’s census count, giving scientists hope for the colony’s future.
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VOLUNTEERS have found 44 little penguins nesting on Granite Island – a strong increase on last year’s census count, giving scientists hope for the colony’s future.
But they are also concerned about an increasing number of people disturbing the population.
Penguin numbers have sat at around 20–30 since 2012, with last year’s count locating 28 penguins at the Victor Harbor landmark.
Flinders University penguin ecologist Diane Colombelli-Negrel, who oversees the census, said this was a first year she had recorded a noticeable increase since she began studying the colony in 2012.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Dr Colombelli-Negrel said after the count on Friday.
“They’ve definitely stabilised since 2012 and it’s giving us hope for the future.”
The eradication of rats, which had preyed upon chicks, had helped the population stabilise.
The penguins had also begun breeding earlier — around late May or early June compared with previous years, when they had started in August or September.
Meantime, it is hoped new cameras, to be installed on the island over the coming weeks, will help keep the population safe – at the same time as collecting valuable data on the birds’ movements.
Dr Colombelli-Negrel said 45 disturbances were recorded at the penguin colony so far this year, representing problems on 26 per cent of all nights that the area was monitored by tour guides.
That compared with 38 incidents for the whole of last year, or problems on 13 per cent of all nights monitored.
Incidents included unauthorised cars or people riding bicycles or skateboards near the colony, shining bright torches at penguins, walking dogs near the animals or using camera flashes.
Dr Colombelli-Negrel said these incidents caused stress, which over the long-term, might shorten penguins’ lifespans or make them leave the colony.
“We’re hoping that maybe if people see there’s a camera they might be less inclined to do something they shouldn’t be doing,” Dr Colombelli-Negrel said.
“There’s a sign that says people are not allowed to bring their dogs onto the island and they can be fined if they do, but every time we mention it to people … they say they didn’t see the sign.
“Penguins have very sensitive eyesight and if you blind them with a torch it will make them blind for a while after.”
Dr Colombelli-Negrel believed the island should be closed at night to anyone not on a penguin tour.
Victor Harbor Mayor Graham Philp hoped the new security cameras would help.
“I’ve heard that fishermen go over there and let their dogs roam, but without any real evidence, we can’t push too much,” he said.
Closing the island at night could be problematic, he said, amid plans to redevelop its former restaurant.
Mr Philp also hoped the penguin centre could be reopened, including a breeding area with nest boxes which were inaccessible to the public.
An Environment Department spokeswoman said while the park was open at night, dogs were not allowed.
She rangers had a frequent presence on the island.
“They are active in providing visitors with information about the island’s features and the requirement to avoid disturbing or interfering with the penguins, their nests or chicks,” she said.
Work was underway to install a new boom gate at the causeway’s entry with restricted access through key cards.
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