数量下降 澳大利亚的企鹅保卫战

The Granite Island penguins are an ever-popular tourist attraction. But sadly the tiny bird is disappearing.

Hungry seals and feral animals are helping themselves to the world's smallest penguins, and conservationists fear the worst.

It's now penguin breeding season, and a census study is underway.

Volunteers are scouring underground burrows across Granite Island to determine just how many birds are left. Armed with flashlights, around 60 volunteers check off the nests one by one.

Also known as Fairy Penguins, Blue Penguins or Little Blue Penguins, the birds stand about 35 centimeters tall. Emperor penguins—the largest penguins in the world-grow to about 110 centimeters.

A decade ago, more than 1,600 penguins roamed the area, but last year's census found just 146.

Penguin ecologist Annelise Wiebkin fears this year's count will show the number has continued to decline. She says the reason behind this is unclear.

"Some of the causes may be from terrestrial predators such as cats, foxes on the mainland, even dogs, rats. Possibly also seals."

But penguin experts believe calls to cull native New Zealand fur seals are premature. Penguin conservationist Natalie Gilbert says more research must be done before action is taken.

"The more we're learning, the more we're finding out that we need to know a lot more before we start making some management decisions."

Recent efforts to ramp up the protection of penguins include camera surveillance and microchipping.

The tiny blue birds attract about 40,000 tourists to the Penguin Centre each year. But, as the number of penguins dwindles, there is a real concern that the colony won't be around for future generations.

One parent says visiting the centre is a popular activity for local families.

"As a kid I remember coming and seeing the penguins, so it's kind of bringing it onto the next generation which is lovely."

Findings from the census will be used to seek government grants for further wildlife protection campaigns.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.