Why are dead penguins washing up on Warrnambool beaches?

An alarming number of dead little penguins have been discovered on Warrnambool beaches in recent days, raising concerns about what's causing the deaths.

Multiple carcasses have been photographed along the shoreline, prompting marine research group Adrift Lab to issue a public alert on social media. The group is asking beachgoers across Victoria to document and report any sightings of dead penguins.

"There do appear to be more penguins than we would normally see washing up over the past week," marine scientist Dr. Patricia Corbett told the Brolga. 

"From photos I have seen from different people, it appears to be a mixture of adult and juvenile penguins washing ashore in the Warrnambool region."

Dr. Corbett explained that while some penguin deaths are expected this time of year, the numbers are concerning.

"It is fairly common to see dead little penguins wash up on the shore this time of year as fledglings have left the nest and are trying to navigate life in the ocean. Adults have recently spent three weeks onshore in their burrows moulting," she said.

"Penguins are not able to go to sea and feed during moult and can lose a lot of condition during that time. If adult penguins have not eaten enough before they moult for example, they can struggle when they return to sea, particularly if conditions are rough or food is harder to find."

Dr. Corbett suggested multiple factors could be contributing to the deaths.

"This could be a result of rough ocean conditions we had last week, poor food availability or a combination of environmental factors. As a result of climate change, environmental conditions are changing over time, which could affect things such as food availability and ultimately the success of little penguins and other species."

"Usually, we would look at the birds more closely to see if they were juveniles, adults or if they looked malnourished or had any obvious signs that could explain them washing ashore," Dr. Corbett said.

"We are currently not able to do this as there is the new risk of Avian Influenza which has not reached Australia at the moment, however there is a looming threat and it is important we take precautions."

"If you do find a dead little penguin or other seabird, please do not touch it and please report incidents of possible Wild Avian Influenza to the AgVic Hotline," Dr. Corbett warned.

Agriculture Victoria asks the public to report clusters of five or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, or even a single sick or dead penguin. They recommend avoiding contact with the birds, recording what you see, and reporting findings by calling 136 186. You can also report online by filling out a form on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Signs of avian influenza in wild birds include lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles, twisted neck or unusual posture, inability to stand or fly, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, swelling around the head, neck and eyes, and cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes.

Adrift Lab has also established a reporting system for beached birds through their website. 

The research group expressed gratitude to community members who are helping to monitor the situation, noting the importance of citizen science in tracking these concerning events.

For more information on how to report dead seabirds, visit the Agriculture Victoria website or Adrift Lab's reporting page.

Thumbnail image: Facebook / Adrift Lab