Rally to save Penguin Island colony demands action from State Government to protect small population

Hundreds of people rallied to save Penguin Island’s penguin colony on Sunday, demanding the State Government to step in to protect the dwindling population.

The rally comes after a report found the number of penguins on the island has dropped to just 114 — a reduction of 94 per cent since the colony’s highest estimate in 2008.

Attendees dressed up in black and white marched along the Rockingham Foreshore café strip with signs including “headed for extinction” and “decades of ignoring”.

Save Rockingham’s Little Penguins founder Dawn Jecks said the rally should be a wake-up call for the State Government to overhaul their management of the penguins on the island.

“This rally is to raise awareness for the penguin’s plight and to let the government and ministers see with their own eyes that this iconic species matters to us,” she said.

“We are stepping up and saying we want a penguin action plan set up by independent scientists now and we will not stop until we get it as it is an emergency.

“This is as a result of a government focused on tourism and not conservation.”

A WA Government spokeswoman said it was committed to protecting the penguin population on the island and had implemented a number of measures to protect the vulnerable penguins.

These measures included extending the winter closure period, not proceeding with plans to build a new discovery centre, and enforcing island closures on days when the temperature is forecast to exceed 35C.

“Research shows the major factor in the decline of the island’s penguin population has been a reduction in food sources due to warming sea temperatures,” she said.

“Tourism plays an important role on the island by educating visitors about the penguins and promoting enjoyment of our State’s natural environment.

“The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, in consultation with scientists, carefully assesses tourism initiatives to ensure minimal impact on the penguin population.

“The health and wellbeing of the penguins will always be the State Government’s top priority when it comes to planning for the island.”