Penguin deaths spark new fears for vulnerable Granite Island colony
Foxes have killed six of Granite Island’s little penguins, sparking new fears for the future of the vulnerable colony, which is heading into its breeding season.
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New fears are held for the future of the Granite Island little penguin colony after six of the animals were killed by foxes.
It is a big blow for the Victor Harbor population, which numbered only 30 animals at the last census, and has sparked renewed calls for extra protection for the vulnerable animals.
Former mayor Graham Philp, who heads up the Save Granite Island’s Penguins group, said the fox attacks were especially worrying because of the population’s size and potential for it to deter other animals from breeding. He reiterated the group’s calls to close the island off to tourists – except those on guided penguin tours – at night during the breeding season.
This would help reduce the human threats to the population, such as people stunning the animals with torches and camera flashes and poking sticks down their burrows in an effort to make them come out.
“All of these things have an impact and because their numbers are so low we have to minimise that,” Mr Philp said.
As reported, penguin advocates have also raised concerns about plans to replace the Granite Island causeway with a new structure because of the works’ impacts on the animals, lobbying instead for the current structure to be upgraded.
Flinders University penguin ecologist Diane Colombelli-Négrel said video footage showed at least two foxes had been on the island. She was also concerned that two of the penguins killed were strong breeders – producing three clutches of eggs last year.
She supported a push to close the island at night during breeding season.
The population has remained at about 25-30 birds since 2012, following a large decline in their numbers.
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A National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) spokeswoman said bait had been laid.
“A fox bait was taken last weekend and rangers have continued to patrol the area with no further loss of little penguins or fox sightings since last Saturday,” she said.
“The NPWS will continue to consider all practical options to protect the little penguins on the island.”