Solar-powered penguin audio porn to help re-establish a penguin colony
October 13, 2023 10:44 PM Subscribe
Australian-first "love machine" helps re-colonise little penguin population locally-extinct for 30 years. When two little penguins recently came ashore on NSW's far south coast and mated they were, without knowing it, pioneers in re-establishing a colony that had been locally extinct for decades.
"Foxes are a constant threat on the mainland, so fences were installed along the cliff top near Eagles Claw Nature Reserve to keep out feral predators.
A concrete artificial habitat was installed, specifically designed to act as a burrow with a curved entrance sharp enough to keep goannas out. And the problem identified 30 years earlier by Professor Klomp was addressed by the installation of what researchers called 'the love machine.'
It is a solar-powered audio system that blasts mating sounds recorded from penguins on the nearby Montague Island/Baranguba out across Twofold Bay during mating season.
'We're slowly coercing these birds into thinking this is a really good penguin colony site,' Mr Carlile said.
'The penguins think 'oh there's a party, let's go join it.' "
"Foxes are a constant threat on the mainland, so fences were installed along the cliff top near Eagles Claw Nature Reserve to keep out feral predators.
A concrete artificial habitat was installed, specifically designed to act as a burrow with a curved entrance sharp enough to keep goannas out. And the problem identified 30 years earlier by Professor Klomp was addressed by the installation of what researchers called 'the love machine.'
It is a solar-powered audio system that blasts mating sounds recorded from penguins on the nearby Montague Island/Baranguba out across Twofold Bay during mating season.
'We're slowly coercing these birds into thinking this is a really good penguin colony site,' Mr Carlile said.
'The penguins think 'oh there's a party, let's go join it.' "
‘Penguin Love Machine’ would have been my new band name except it sounds like a Penguin Café tribute.
posted by Phanx at 6:24 AM on October 14, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Phanx at 6:24 AM on October 14, 2023 [4 favorites]
"It's a very slow burn establishing a seabird colony."
Penguin/Penguin, Mainland AU, indie radio, love songs
Words: 4,345 Chapters: 2/?
Two penguins follow a mysterious radio signal that only plays love songs. What will they find when they get there?
posted by EvaDestruction at 6:48 AM on October 14, 2023 [4 favorites]
Penguin/Penguin, Mainland AU, indie radio, love songs
Words: 4,345 Chapters: 2/?
Two penguins follow a mysterious radio signal that only plays love songs. What will they find when they get there?
posted by EvaDestruction at 6:48 AM on October 14, 2023 [4 favorites]
I'm touched by the local people's fundraising to bring back the colony and hope that this is just the first of many successes.
posted by EvaDestruction at 6:51 AM on October 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by EvaDestruction at 6:51 AM on October 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
It took me entirely too long to realize that "little penguin" was a species and not an editorial description, but honestly that only made it more delightful.
posted by eponym at 4:50 PM on October 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by eponym at 4:50 PM on October 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
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posted by one for the books at 12:32 AM on October 14, 2023 [9 favorites]