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Granite Island’s Little Penguins on the Brink of Extinction

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Research conducted by Flinders University has revealed that little penguins, particularly those on Granite Island, are under increasing threat from human activities, with their population plummeting from 1,600 adults two decades ago to just 30 today. A study published in the journal Behaviour focused on how the boldness of parent penguins influences their parental behaviors in environments affected by urban development and human interference. Contrary to previous assumptions made in other bird species, bolder penguin parents did not show a decrease in parental care metrics, such as frequency of returning to the nest or feeding their chicks. However, these bold behaviors were linked to increased stress due to human disturbances. The study highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts and reduced human interactions to protect these vulnerable penguins, especially with Granite Island attracting around 800,000 visitors annually. Researchers emphasized the importance of limiting tourism that may impact nesting sites and called for public support in preserving the habitat of these endangered birds. Additionally, the study raised concerns about the long-term effects of ongoing human disturbance on the behavioral traits within penguin populations. Little penguins are the smallest penguin species, predominantly residing along the southern Australian coastline.

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