Penguin colony attendance under artificial lights for ecotourism

Area of Science:

• Ecotourism
• Wildlife Behavior
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Little penguin (Eudyptula minor) night viewing is a popular ecotourism activity in Australia and New Zealand.
• Artificial lighting is used to facilitate visitor viewing of penguins returning ashore after sunset.
• The impact of artificial light on penguin behavior and colony attendance requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally test the effects of different light wavelengths and intensities on little penguin colony attendance behavior.
• To compare penguin responses to artificial lighting at a historically lit site versus a previously unlit site.

Main Methods:

• Field experiments were conducted at two sites on Phillip Island, Australia.
• Penguin responses to varying light intensities and wavelengths were observed.
• Colony attendance behavior was monitored at both artificially lit and naturally lit sites.

Main Results:

• Penguin attendance behavior was not affected by light intensity at the artificially lit site, likely due to habituation.
• At the previously unlit site, penguins showed a preference for lit paths over dark paths.
• Artificial light may improve penguin navigation, reduce predation risk, and lower locomotion costs.

Conclusions:

• Artificial lighting can influence penguin path selection, potentially leading them to undesirable areas.
• Light pollution poses a risk to penguin populations and their natural habitats.
• Recommendations include using dim, time-restricted lighting where artificial illumination is necessary for ecotourism.