The endangered population of little Penguins at Manly
Sydneysiders are lucky enough to have a population of Little Penguins living right on their doorstep. The population, in a secluded cove in Manly is the only colony found on the Australian mainland.
Little Penguins, which stand at only 30cm tall and weigh 1kg when fully grown, are the world's smallest penguins. The population of little penguins in Sydney's North Harbour once numbered in the hundreds. However, it has dramatically decreased to around 60 pairs of birds. The decline is mainly due to introduced species and loss of habitat.
Noise and light on the foreshore or on the water can delay penguins from returning to their burrows. The presence of people or light near burrows at night can make penguins abandon their nests altogether.
Please reduce the amount of noise and light around penguin areas, especially from dusk to dawn during the breeding season (1 July to 28 February). Do not use flash photography or shine torches at penguins or around their burrows, and try to avoid being around foreshore habitat at dusk and dawn during the breeding season.
