Estimating Little Penguin population sizes using automated acoustic monitoring and citizen science

Colombelli‐Négrel, Diane

doi:10.1111/ibi.13201

Cited by 3 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The island is uninhabited with a granite coastline and an open habitat dominated by indigenous grasses and patchy shrubs covering the lower areas. Long‐term monitoring has shown that most Little Penguin nests are located on the northern shore of the island (Colombelli‐Négrel 2015, 2020). During the October 2018 population census, 44 adult Little Penguins were recorded on the island (Colombelli‐Négrel 2019).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Long‐term monitoring has shown that most Little Penguin nests are located on the northern shore of the island (Colombelli‐Négrel 2015, 2020). During the October 2018 population census, 44 adult Little Penguins were recorded on the island (Colombelli‐Négrel 2019). All other Little Penguin colonies previously located near Granite Island are now extinct (Colombelli‐Négrel & Kleindorfer 2014).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the October 2018 population census, 44 adult Little Penguins were recorded on the island (Colombelli‐Négrel 2019). All other Little Penguin colonies previously located near Granite Island are now extinct (Colombelli‐Négrel & Kleindorfer 2014). Granite Island is one of the top 10 most visited national parks in South Australia (DEWNR 2020), with c. 800000 people per year visiting the island.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Granite Island (South Australia, Australia) Little Penguin population declined from c. 1500 adults in 2001 to 30 adults in 2019 (Colombelli‐Négrel 2020) through a combination of factors, including predation at sea by Long‐nosed Fur Seals Arctocephalus forsteri (Bool et al . 2007, Reinhold 2014), predation on land by native Water‐rats Hydromys chrysogaster and introduced Black Rats Rattus rattus (Bool et al .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since its decline, the colony has experienced an increase in human activities at night from fewer than 2% of the monitored nights before 2016 to more than 23% of the monitored nights in 2018 (Colombelli‐Négrel 2019). Human activities observed included unauthorized vehicles, Dogs (on or off leash), push bikes (Little Penguins were seen by tour guides before the study to be frightened by cyclists with lights) and people actively searching for penguins using white light (from torches and mobile phones; Colombelli‐Négrel 2018, 2019, 2020). Reasons for this increase in human activities are unknown.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Human activities at night negatively impact Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) numbers and behaviours

Costello

Colombelli‐Négrel

2023

Ibis

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The presence of humans within the natural environment is increasing worldwide. Assessing the impact of such activities on wildlife is crucial for declining populations where human disturbance adds to existing pressures. Here, we investigated how human activities at night influenced Little Penguin Eudyptula minor numbers and behaviours (specifically return time, number of vocalizations and time spent in vigilance) on Granite Island, a declining population in South Australia, Australia. We combined data from regular night surveys with continuous video and audio monitoring to assess the impact of human activities on the Little Penguins. The use of white light (i.e. from torches or camera flashes) by people was the most frequent activity recorded at night (recorded on 65% of the monitored nights). Fewer penguins were found on land at night when Dogs Canis lupus familiaris were present, but not when the number of people increased, when concerts occurred, or when white lights were used. Little Penguins were observed more often returning late from sea at night when Dogs were present and when white lights were used, but not when concerts occurred. An increase in penguin vocalizations at night correlated with the presence of Dogs and the occurrence of concerts, whereas penguins vocalized less when white lights were used. The time Little Penguins spent in vigilance did not correlate with any of the disturbances analysed. Our study also highlights the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on wildlife, as the occurrence of human activities increased significantly following the implementation of the COVID‐19 health protection measures. These results add to a growing body of literature suggesting that human activities on land, and their consequent disturbance(s), may affect the numbers and behaviours of wildlife and that appropriate measures need to be developed to limit such impacts.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%