Waddle We Do Without Our Little Penguins?

Bruny Island’s Little Penguin population is in decline. There are a number of contributing factors, but one identified issue is human disturbance at their rookeries on Bruny Island. Keen to catch sight of these endearing seabirds, visitors are leaving the main walking path and going into their breeding grounds, disturbing the colony and causing damage to nests.

Waddle We Do?

Through Tasmania’s Recycle Rewards scheme, we are using funds raised to develop educational resources to help educate visitors to the island – reminding them about why it’s so important to give our Little Penguins a wide berth.

  • HOW WILL WE DO IT?
  • Through social media campaigns, leaflets, signage and posters at key tourism locations across the island, we’ll be working to get the message out.
  • Working with local businesses on Bruny Island and throughout the Channel to help spread the word and boost efforts.
  • If we raise enough funds, we can cover the cost of infrastructure improvements near rookeries that will help encourage proper penguin etiquette.

DID YOU KNOW?

Little Penguins nest in burrows on the foreshore. If they are disturbed during their travels to and from their burrows to feed their young their heart rates and energy demands can increase, and it can impact their overall health.
Even low levels of disturbance can affect breeding birds.
People walking through colonies to view penguins can trample plants used for nesting or cover, can crush nesting burrows, and can stop penguins from feeding their chicks.
Penguins are particularly
vulnerable during breeding or moulting and this can be testing in times of limited energy reserves.
Uncontrolled viewing of
penguins in the wild can have a detrimental effect on the birds. To keep our Little Penguins safe, only view penguins at areas with established infrastructure.

How to Donate

The next time you're dropping off your bottles and cans at one of Tasmania's Container Deposit Scheme Collectiom Points, simply enter 'NRM South' into the search bar.

  • Your spare change will go toward raising awareness among visitors about protecting these much-loved seabirds and giving them space to thrive.
  •  Simply scan, recycle, and donate — it’s an easy way to help protect Tasmania’s cutest coastal locals!
  • Help us spread the message! Share our campaign amongst your networks and help us increase our impact.