Study

The establishment of a captive breeding colony of little or fairy penguins Eudyptula minor at Melbourne Zoo

  • Published source details W. Dunn R. (1986) The establishment of a captive breeding colony of little or fairy penguins Eudyptula minor at Melbourne Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook, 24, 237-240.

Summary

Use captive breeding to increase or maintain populations of seabirds

A study in 1980–1984 at Melbourne Zoo, Australia (Dunn 1986) reported that little penguins Eudyptula minor successfully bred in captivity. Between 1980 and 1982, a population of roughly 20 little penguins was housed in an enclosure with a pool, artificial dune and nest boxes. They produced three fledglings. In 1983 and 1984, seven pairs were moved to new enclosures, shared with other bird species but still with pools and nest boxes amongst vegetation. The seven penguin pairs laid a total of 17 clutches (2–3 clutches/pair). At least six clutches were infertile, but 14 chicks hatched. Across the second clutches, five of nine chicks were reared to >1 month old by the parents. From 1980, the penguins were fed with pilchards Sardinops neopilchardis plus a vitamin/mineral supplement. The study suggests that low (but unquantified) breeding success before 1980 was due to the lack of this supplement.

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