Coffin Bay, Australia — Residents of the Eyre Peninsula are on edge following the discovery of several dead penguins along local beaches, raising alarm about potential environmental issues. The recent findings come amidst reports of various marine life fatalities attributed to a toxic algal bloom sweeping the South Australian coastline.
The Department of Environment and Water (DEW) noted that while investigations into the cause of the penguin deaths are underway, the connection to the ongoing algal bloom caused by the microalgae Karenia mikimotoi remains uncertain.
Krista Eleftherieu, a local who frequented the West Coast, encountered the deceased birds while walking at Almonta Beach in Coffin Bay National Park. "It was heartbreaking to find one and then see another just a short distance away," she shared. Eleftherieu estimated she spotted multiple penguins spread over a significant stretch of the beach, noting the freshness of their conditions, which showed little signs of decay.
A DEW representative confirmed reports of at least four penguins found at that location. “It’s not uncommon for penguin carcasses to wash ashore along South Australian beaches, including the Coffin Bay area,” they stated. The spokesperson elaborated on the myriad factors that can lead to such incidents, citing predator attacks, starvation linked to food availability fluctuations, environmental disturbances, plastic ingestion, disease, and complications from entanglement in fishing equipment.
Meanwhile, concerns continue to grow in Streaky Bay, where Mayor Travis Barber reported discovering a dead penguin and a mutton bird during a walk on the beach. After reporting the finds to the Department of Primary Industries, he learned that other similar carcasses had been found along the shoreline. Barber expressed his unease over the situation and emphasized the importance of caution: "I was advised about potential avian flu threats and instructed to wash my hands immediately after handling the bird."
The DEW indicated that the algal bloom affecting the region is likely exacerbated by a marine heatwave, with ocean temperatures rising an average of 2.5 degrees above normal. Local residents, including Barber, have observed the unusually warm conditions. "Just a few weeks ago, temperatures were close to 20 degrees Celsius, which is quite abnormal for this time of year," he noted.
Experts say that severe weather patterns play a crucial role in the persistence of these algal blooms. Due to stagnant high-pressure systems currently impacting southern Australia, the strong winds typically needed to dissipate such blooms have been delayed. The DEW reports that as of now, the algal bloom shows no signs of abating.
Authorities urge anyone who finds dead or sick penguins to report their sightings to the PIRSA Emergency Animal Disease hotline. As the community grapples with this troubling phenomenon, the focus remains on protecting local wildlife and preventing further ecological disruptions.