Despite facing a strong El Nino event and record-high ocean temperatures around Phillip Island, the little penguin population appears to have thrived during the breeding season from July 2023 to March 2024.
Researchers from Phillip Island Nature Parks say they observed a higher-than-expected number of fledgling chicks, defying expectations of a decline due to climate change.
Phillip Island Nature Parks Senior Scientist Professor Andre Chiaradia said the island’s little penguins had benefitted from a longer than normal breeding season that ran for nine months rather than the usual three to four months.
“El Nino changes the weather pattern of the whole planet. Wildfires in the Northern Hemisphere, record ocean temperatures and floods – they are all linked to a strong El Nino,” Professor Chiaradia said.
“For the penguins here on Phillip Island, it means more storms, mixing ocean waters and less availability of food.
“Initially we were concerned about the predicted strong El Nino, which can result in heatwaves and penguin mortality, as well as challenging foraging conditions due to storms and poor breeding success.
“At the beginning of the season, penguins experienced difficulties foraging as they were travelling longer distances for food, reducing their visits ashore and causing food shortages for chicks.
“But remarkably, in a surprising turn, the Penguin Parade witnessed a significant upturn in later summer, exceeding initial expectations as most chicks from the second clutch successfully fledged. The average weight of penguins crossing the beach also exceeded the long-term average, indicating a positive trend.
“It seems food became available closer to Phillip Island, so penguins took advantage of a second breeding attempt that was ultimately better than expected.”
He said little penguins had, in the past, travelled as far as Lakes Entrance to forage for food during a breeding season.
Phillip Island has as the largest colony of little penguins in the world with a population of 40,000.
Professor Chiaradia said the work by researchers and oversight of the Nature Parks had also helped to protect and grow the population of little penguins at Phillip Island.
“The fine-scale monitoring of penguins at Phillip Island underlines the importance of ongoing surveillance and data collection to understand the intricate dynamics of penguin populations on land and at sea,” he said.
“This ongoing effort informs conservation strategies to safeguard these iconic penguins for future generations.”
