Half this year’s little penguin chicks on WA’s Penguin Island wiped out as colony dwindles

Researchers recommended an emergency little penguin feeding program which was rejected by the Western Australian state government

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Half the little penguin chicks from this year's breeding season on Penguin Island in Western Australia have died, as the colony dwindles and researchers accuse the state government of failing to act.

It is thought up to 20 chicks, which represented 10% of the colony, were lost after New Year's Day when their parents were unable to feed them, resulting in the worst breeding season since 2011.