Friday, June 27, 2008

Ensuring the survival of rockhopper penguins

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has taken the first step in a dedicated conservation program that will help to ensure the survival of rockhopper penguin populations.

In the past six decades, the number of rockhopper penguins has plummeted by up to 80 per cent – but the reason for the decline is a mystery.

RZSS has provided £20,000 for a boat so conservation workers can move easily between nest sites on Tristan da Cunha and surrounding islands. This will allow them to carry out a survey on the existing population, monitor fluctuations and investigate possible reasons for the decline.

Source: Scotsman
Photo: Edinburgh Zoo

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