Dead little penguins washed up on multiple Eyre Peninsula beachesBy Emma PedlerBy Duncan BaileyABC Eyre PeninsulaTopic:Environmental Impact1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 8:53pmDead penguins have washed up on at least two beaches in the Eyre Peninsula. (Supplied: Travis Barber)In short: Dead penguins have appeared on multiple beaches in the Eyre Peninsula, as other dead marine life continues to wash up on South Australian shores.The Department of Environment and Water (DEW) says it is unclear at this stage if the new penguin deaths are linked to the ongoing microalgae bloom Karenia mikimotoi.What's next?The bloom is expected to remain until the state receives strong westerly winds, which historically start around the end of April.abc.net.au/news/dead-penguins-found-on-eyre-peninsula-beaches/105267478Link copiedShareShare articleDead penguins have been found washed up on beaches in the Eyre Peninsula, prompting concerns from locals.Other dead marine life has appeared on South Australian beaches in recent months as a result of a toxic algal bloom.The Department of Environment and Water (DEW) said it was unclear if the new penguin deaths were linked to the ongoing microalgae bloom Karenia mikimotoi.The Fleurieu Peninsula coastline developed an uncharacteristic froth amid an algal bloom in March. (ABC News: Caroline Horn)Krista Eleftherieu, who grew up exploring the West Coast, said she came across a dead little penguin at Almonta Beach in Coffin Bay National Park on Tuesday."It was obviously quite sad and I didn't think much of it, but then kept walking and there was another one about 30 metres away," Ms Eleftherieu said."And probably 50 to 100 metres away, were another two washed up on the beach."It looked like they were pretty recent deaths, they didn't seem to have any obvious decomposition."A DEW spokesperson said it was aware of reports of four penguin carcasses at Almonta Beach.Krista Eleftherieu says she found multiple dead penguins at Almonta Beach in Coffin Bay National Park. (Supplied: Krista Eleftherieu)"Penguin carcasses do wash up on South Australian beaches from time to time, including in Coffin Bay National Park," they said."There are a variety of possible causes of penguin deaths, including terrestrial and marine predators, starvation and fatigue associated with changes in food availability, storm events, ingestion of plastics, natural disease and entanglement in fishing nets."Dead birds found at Streaky BayDistrict Council of Streaky Bay mayor Travis Barber said he came across a dead penguin and a dead mutton bird last weekend while walking his dog on a local beach.District Council of Streaky Bay mayor Travis Barber. (ABC Eyre Peninsula: Jodie Hamilton)"I reported those to [the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia] PIRSA and was told two other ones had been reported down the beach. It's a bit of a concern," Mr Barber said."I collected the bird out of the water and put it up on the high ground to report it so they could go and get it."I was told about the bird flu issue possibility and was told to go straight home and wash my hands."I hadn't any awareness of that so it is a good warning to people if they do find stuff, not to touch them or use a plastic bag."PIRSA was contacted for comment.Warm temperatures persist The DEW spokesperson said the algal bloom was likely being driven by an ongoing marine heatwave affecting southern Australian waters, with water temperatures 2.5 degrees warmer than usual.Shark washes up on SA beachPhoto shows A group of people attempt to push a shark back out to seaAuthorities have removed a dead shark that washed up on an Adelaide beach.Mr Barker said water temperatures were "still quite high" in Streaky Bay compared to last year's cold upwelling, which brought temperatures down to 12 degrees Celsius in summer."When I was out only a couple of weeks ago it was still nearly 20C. That's really unusual for this time of year," he said.The DEW spokesperson said the bloom was expected to remain present until the state received strong westerly winds, which historically started around the end of April. "However, persistent high-pressure systems affecting southern Australia have delayed these winds. Nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom," they said.The DEW encouraged anyone who discovered a dead or sick penguin to contact the PIRSA Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.Posted 1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 8:53pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesAmerican Robert Prevost elected pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIVLIVEPhoto shows A man in religious robes looks down from a balconyPrice defection slammed as hostile Liberal takeover with Angus TaylorTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows Federal shadow minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Price standing and speaking outside a voting centre.Drained batteries and broken trust: Energy giant denounced over clean tech schemeTopic:Energy IndustryPhoto shows Man wearing baseball cap and khaki green t-shirt standing next to household Tesla batteryUS and UK strike deal as Trump slashes tariffs on British steel, carsTopic:TariffsPhoto shows Keir Starmer and Donald Trump shake hands and make eye contact Meeting with hate preacher triggers court order for notorious terror leaderTopic:ExtremismPhoto shows image of convicted terrorist Abdul BenbrikaRelated storiesSA's toxic algal bloom 'larger than we have ever seen before'Topic:Marine BiologyPhoto shows Two small dead octopuses washed up on muddy sand.Citizen scientists needed to help sea life amid algal bloom devastationTopic:Marine BiologyPhoto shows The remains of a large puffed up globe fish sit on the sand of a surf beach.'They're back, I can hear them': Community's relief at return of little penguinsTopic:ConservationPhoto shows Little penguins on a beach, lit by red lightRelated topicsAdelaideAnimalsClimate ChangeCoffin BayEnvironmental ImpactOceans and ReefsPort LincolnStreaky BayTop StoriesAmerican Robert Prevost elected pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIVTopic:Religious LeadersPhoto shows A man in religious robes looks down from a balconyPrice defection slammed as hostile Liberal takeover with Angus TaylorTopic:Political LeadershipDrained batteries and broken trust: Energy giant denounced over clean tech schemeTopic:Energy IndustryUS and UK strike deal as Trump slashes tariffs on British steel, carsTopic:TariffsMeeting with hate preacher triggers court order for notorious terror leaderTopic:ExtremismJust InIconic fishing competition draws anglers to the NT's remote Daly RiverTopic:Recreational Fishing6m ago6 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:32pmMurder charge laid after woman stabbed in Adelaide's northTopic:Homicide27m ago27 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:11pmIndia says military stations were attacked by Pakistani drones and missilesTopic:Unrest, Conflict and War39m ago39 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:00pmShearers struggle for work as wool production hits century-lowTopic:Wool Growing48m ago48 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 9:50pmMore Just InBack to top