Threats

Urbanisation has brought many problems for Sydney's Little Penguins.

Environmental destruction along the Sydney Harbour foreshore has impacted on Little Penguin nesting sites and the introduction of animals such as cats, dogs and foxes continues to threaten their survival.

Other threats include fishing line, oil spills and contaminants in the water that affect food supply.

Predators such as dogs, cats and foxes are known to take penguins from shallow burrows and as they move between the water and their nesting habitat.

Stormwater runoff and rubbish dumping can destroy nesting habitat and expose penguins to pollutants.

Inputs into Sydney Harbour from stormwater drains, sewerage overflows, watercourses and atmospheric fallout affect water quality and substrate composition and may affect penguin health. Industrial and urban inputs of heavy metals and organochlorides into Sydney Harbour have the potential to cause physiological effects on wild penguins by contaminating their food source.

Disturbance around nesting areas is another threat to the population. Increases in noise and light from nearby buildings and waterway activities have the potential to impact penguin nesting activities. Lights shining onto nesting areas from boats or buildings may disorientate or even prevent birds from returning to shore.

Disturbance from the public may place additional pressure on the penguin colonies.

We can all make a difference to the survival of Sydney’s Urban Penguins through simple measures such as not littering and controlling pet animals.