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

The West Australian Perth Now Click to open navigation ‌‌ News Chevron Down Icon Breaking News Western Australia National World Technology Opinion Weather Sport Chevron Down Icon AFL Cricket Soccer Basketball Tennis NRL Rugby Motor Racing MMA Golf Netball Cycling Entertainment Chevron Down Icon Confidential Movies Best Short Film Television Music Reviews Books Competitions Business Chevron Down Icon Breaking News Economy Markets Property Commercial Property Workplace Matters Lifestyle Chevron Down Icon Food Personal Finance Health Parenting Fashion Travel Home & Garden Relationships Stars Real Estate HUH? Local News Chevron Down Icon North Central South Mandurah Competitions Find My Paper Digital Editions Shop Now Read your local paperNews to your inbox Camera IconHundreds of people rallied to save Penguin Island’s penguin colony on Sunday, demanding the State Government to step in to protect the dwindling population. Credit: Riley Churchman/The West Australian Rally to save Penguin Island colony demands action from State Government to protect small population Claire SadlerThe West Australian June 9, 2024 2:05PM Comments TopicsSound TelegraphLocal NewsState PoliticsWildlife 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”. PerthNow Digital Edition.Your local paper, whenever you want it. Read now TheNightly Get in front of tomorrow’s news for FREE Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.READ NOW 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.Camera IconSave Rockingham’s Little Penguins Rally on Sunday morning where people gathered to protest. Riley Churchman Credit: Riley Churchman/The West Australian “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.Camera IconSave Rockingham’s Little Penguins Rally on Sunday morning where people gathered to protest. Pictured is the City of Rockingham Councillor Dawn Jecks. Riley Churchman Credit: Riley Churchman/The West Australian “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.” Population plummetHeartbreak as Penguin Island decline leaves barely 100 birds Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Email Us Copy the Link Register and have your say. Register to comment Already have an account? 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