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Abstract

We investigated the distribution and abundance of Little Penguins Eudyptula minor at 12 known colony locations on mainland southeastern
Tasmania, Australia. Surveys of scientific journals, unpublished field surveys and oral records were compiled to assess the historical
distribution (before 1996) of this species within a 150-km radius of Hobart. Current status of each site was assessed by conducting surveys
of the areas of historical distribution during the 2002/03 breeding season. Transects were used to conduct burrow counts, supplemented by
counts of penguins coming ashore at night. Of the 12 colonies examined, four have disappeared and two have decreased appreciably in size
within the last decade. Potential causes of these decreases include predation by introduced vertebrates, habitat modification and destruction
and incidental drowning in recreational gillnets.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Stevenson, C and Woehler, E
Keywords:	Little Penguin, Eudyptula minor, population decrease, predation, human impacts
Journal or Publication Title:	Marine Ornithology
Publisher:	African Seabird Group
ISSN:	1018-3337
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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