C O N S E R V AT I O N
MUCH TO TREASURE
I N T H E S O U T H AT L A N T I C On one of the world’s more remote islands, the rockhopper penguin is in decline. Gavrielle Kirk-Cohen discovers how RZSS is using its penguin expertise to save the species from extinction
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n the far South Atlantic Ocean lies the most address the causes for this drop in numbers. remote inhabited archipelago in the world, RZSS is playing a key role in tackling this decline, Tristan da Cunha, which is home to the northern helping to improve our understanding of the rockhopper penguin, or ‘Pinnamin’ as they are northern rockhopper as well as investigating what known to the local Tristan islanders. can be done to save the species from extinction. A real icon of the region – not to mention One of the smallest species of penguin in the world, Edinburgh Zoo – the species has made its home on the northern rockhopper is listed as endangered on the active volcanic island and surrounding smaller the IUCN Red List – clear recognition of the plight islands for generations; however, over facing this iconic flightless bird. the past few decades, more than four Through Project Pinnamin, RZSS million birds have been lost across and our project partners will create Tristan da Cunha and the Gough a conservation action plan that will Islands, roughly 90 per cent of the identify key conservation measures total population, which is now required to protect northern estimated to be about 265,000 rockhopper penguins globally. breeding pairs. We will also produce educational The exact cause is something materials that will be used to of a mystery. One issue is that educate the public both on Tristan, Tristan islanders traditionally in Edinburgh and through the gather penguin eggs to supplement wider zoo community in Europe The rockhopper is their diet. Others include decreasing and the United States. endangered in food supplies as a result of commercial Head of Conservation Programmes the wild fishing, the growing population of suband Science at RZSS, Sarah Robinson, Antarctic fur seals, predation, and pollution explains: “Project Pinnamin aims to improve from ecotourism. our understanding of northern rockhopper However, due to limited knowledge of the species’ penguins. We hope to use our existing knowledge marine distribution and its habitat requirements, it of the species, alongside further research, to create has so far proved difficult to pinpoint and therefore a comprehensive conservation action plan that will
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Mainland Tristan da Cunha: in the past few decades, the archipelago has lost more than four million of the iconic rockhopper penguin
identify the key steps we need to take to protect the species. We also hope to produce educational materials that can be used to raise the profile of rockhoppers and awareness of the issues they face in the wild.” Project Pinnamin will investigate causes of the current rapid declines in northern rockhopper penguin numbers on Tristan, seek to recognise important marine areas and recommend future conservation actions. RZSS is working closely with the RSPB, Tristan da Cunha Government, British Antarctic Survey and the Government of South Africa on the project, which is being funded by the Darwin Initiative. While the majority of northern rockhopper populations are found on the islands of Tristan da Cunha and Gough, populations are also found on smaller islands nearby. The work of Project Pinnamin will focus specifically on the small
“Project Pinnamin aims to improve our understanding of the penguins... to create a comprehensive action plan that will identify the steps we need to take to protect the species.” Sarah Robinson, Head of Conservation Programmes and Science
volcanic island of Nightingale, 40 km south west of mainland Tristan, which is a mere three square kilometres in size. Once rumoured to be the realm of pirates, Nightingale Island is now home to treasure of a different kind in the form of more than one million breeding seabirds. Being accessible by CONTINUED OVERLE AF> Images credit: Brian Gratwicke and Alex Bond LifeLinks
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boat means that the rockhopper population can be easily monitored and the project team will fit electronic tags onto the adult and fledgling penguins, which will be detected by sensors each time the birds commute along their traditional routes to their colonies. “By monitoring the penguins, we will be able to estimate survival rates as well as breeding success,” says Sarah. Project Pinnamin will analyse marine habitats and collate tracking data on the penguins to quantify habitat preference and recognise key foraging areas. It will also strengthen local capacity by providing training in fieldwork methods and data management, ensuring that local people on Tristan da Cunha will be able to continue this vital work long after the funding for the project has ended. The final step of Project Pinnamin is to produce a species action plan, replacing the current version that dates back nearly ten years. RZSS will host a workshop at Edinburgh Zoo in June 2017 for precisely this purpose, which will bring together experts from around the world to discuss the plight of these threatened penguins. “Project Pinnamin is an important project,” says Sarah, “one which will create awareness of the plight facing rockhoppers and spread valuable education and learning about the species. Given Edinburgh Zoo’s long and illustrious history with penguins, it feels entirely appropriate for us to be taking action to save them. With fewer than 265,000 breeding pairs remaining, the situation could hardly be more urgent.” Δ
Islanders from Tristan da Cunha (in the distance) traditionally collect Pinnamin eggs to supplement their diet
Nightingale Island is home to more than one million breeding seabirds, including the albatross
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Your legacy, their future
A gift in your will can help RZSS safeguard species both in Scotland and around the world from extinction. As a registered charity, over 75% of our income comes from people just like you. To find out more about leaving a lasting gift for wildlife, call us for a free legacy pack on 0131 314 0323 or email supportus@rzss.org.uk
Image © Pamela Hay
RZSS is delighted to be partnering with law firm Gillespie Macandrew LLP on a new legacy campaign. If you are an RZSS member, you can receive a 10% discount on will-making services through Gillespie Macandrew. Discount valid until April 2018.
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