Calls to close major WA tourism attraction to save ‘hounded’ penguins

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Conservationists are calling for Penguin Island to be closed to visitors to allow the dwindling little penguin population to recover, but the state government insists the decline is due to climate change and not tourism.

The island, a 10-minute ferry ride from Rockingham, south of Perth, teems with over a hundred species, big and small, but the little penguins have always been the main drawcard.

The colony has dropped by 94 per cent since 2007, leaving an estimated 114 on the island.

Scientists have cited climate change, human activity and migration patterns as driving factors in the population’s decline.

Researchers estimate there are only 114 little penguins left on the island. (ABC Radio Perth: Emma Wynne)

Mainland discovery centre

Following the closure of the Penguin Island Discovery Centre in 2023, the tourism industry has been calling for a new facility on the mainland to accommodate demand.

Chad D’Souza from Perth Wildlife Encounters believes it could be the answer to sustainable tourism.

“Otherwise people will take animals and start touching them, and they won’t do it in the right, respectful way,” Mr D’Souza said.

“Speaking with [conservationist and television personality] Robert Irwin and people like that, they’ve said that if we don’t have tourism, how can we promote education amongst wildlife and animals?”

 Chad D’Souza smiling, standing on a jetty

Chad D’Souza from Perth Wildlife Encounters would like to see a discovery centre built on the mainland.   (ABC News: Ruby Littler )

In 2022, the McGowan Labor government committed over $3 million to build a new discovery centre on the island.

But after backlash over potential environmental impacts, the plan was scrapped, in favour of building a centre on the mainland.

Nearly three years later, the project is still in the planning phase.

People on a jetty surrounded by turquoise water

Penguin island is a 10-minute ferry ride from Rockingham, south of Perth.  (ABC News: Ruby Littler )

Mr D’Souza said without a discovery centre to bring in tourists, his business was losing around $1 million a year.

“We really need someone to put the money down, get the process happening and get on with it.” Mr D’Souza said.

“You can’t sustain a million-dollar loss every year. And if that happens, [the business] will disappear.”

Penguins ‘hounded’

Local conservationists want immediate action, calling for the island to be closed for a few years to allow the little penguin population to recuperate.

“It’s all about tourism dollars. We can’t keep pillaging our natural resources, and Rockingham’s residents are really upset about this,” Dawn Jenkins said.

“I know they spruik, a lot, [about] education … that’s all very well and good to hear but the elephant in the room is those creatures are being hounded.”

Dawn standing on the beach wearing pink shirt and hat

Save Rockingham’s Little Penguins campaigner, Dawn Jenkins, is calling for the island to be closed for a few years.  (ABC News: Ruby Littler )

Ms Jenkins is a councillor for the City of Rockingham, but in her capacity as an activist, she organises rallies and marches to protect penguins.

She said little penguins are part of Rockingham’s cultural identity.

A close-up shot of two penguins as they look up at the camera from inside a nesting box.

Penguin island is home to more than a hundred species of penguins.  (Supplied: Rotary Club)

Discovery centre in limbo

Despite previous commitments, it’s unclear whether WA Labor will fully fund a new discovery centre if re-elected.

In a statement, the party said the development of a business case for the project will help guide future decisions.

“The health and wellbeing of the penguins will always be the state government’s top priority when it comes to planning for the island,” the statement said.

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

People on a jetty surrounded by turquoise water

Penguin Island is a major WA tourism drawcard.  (ABC News: Ruby Littler )

An independent advisory group of scientist and local representatives has been established to address the challenges faced by the little penguin population.

The group will have its first meeting this month and is expected to deliver a report to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction within 12 months.

Climate change to blame: government

WA’s Environment Minister Reece Whitby has acknowledged that human activity can pose a threat to the little penguins but insisted climate change was the main culprit.

“It’s not the impact of tourism directly that’s had a negative impact, it’s climate change,” Mr Whitby said.

“We need to make sure that we don’t have open slather … but we’ve had sustainable tourism on Penguin Island for decades and decades.”

Reece Whitby wearing white shirt with hands on hips, surrounded by greenery

The Environment Minister, Reece Whitby, says planning is underway for a new discovery centre on the mainland.  (ABC News: Ruby Littler )

He said a new discovery centre needed to be carefully considered.

“If you’re going to replace [the centre] with something on the mainland, you need to do it right. You need to do your homework and that work is happening,” Mr Whitby said.

“You can’t simply put them in a shed. You know, you have to build an appropriate place.”

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