Little Penguin Meeting Summary for November 2024
Friends of Little Penguins Eden, HELP group held its latest meeting on 16th November 2024, chaired by Wendy Noble, with members discussing several ongoing projects and updates.
Key Updates and Actions
Penguin Colony: Survey data will be compiled and released at the end of the season for security reasons. Camera data from the colony sites indicates active penguin behaviour, including mating and chick-rearing activities. Surveillance of the Little Penguin colony continues, with important insights into penguin behaviour and chick development.
Eden Whale Festival: The group participated in the Whale Festival on October 18, with notable contributions from Jo Garton and all members who helped set up and run the display. The Whale Festival was considered a success, marking the group's first major public event. National Parks Rangers assisted with setup and expressed interest in integrating the penguin project into their summer seabird program.
Avian Flu: Rangers provided detailed information on handling dead penguins, instructing that more than five dead birds should be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
ECAC Update: The group is now officially listed on the ECAC website, and Julian Webb has created proformas for potential grant applications. An article explaining the group's mission will be published on ECAC's website. A working group, led by Julian, will be formed to complete grant applications in preparation for the next grant cycle.
Tax-Deductible Donations: The group clarified how tax-deductible donations can be made via ECAC’s website, where donors can select the "Little Penguins Eden Fund."
Christmas Stall: A potential “Christmas on Imlay” stall is being explored for December, subject to confirmation.
Fox Control: Fox predation on penguins was discussed, with plans to address this in future meetings.
Future meetings for 2025 have been scheduled for:
March 15, 2025
May 17, 2025
July 19, 2025
September 20, 2025
November 15, 2025
Closing
The meeting was productive, with strong progress made in both operational and strategic areas of the Little Penguin project. The group continues to thrive through collaborative efforts and looks forward to expanding outreach and securing future funding in the coming months.
Next Meeting: Saturday, 18th January 2024 10:00am at Eden Library
