Project Penguin

Issues

The Little Penguin population of Manly are endangered and vulnerable to the impact of humans and domestic animals. Often, the little penguins come close to the shore, wharf areas and even into nearby homes. It is necessary to create awareness within the community to help protect the Little Penguins.

Project Summary

Taronga Zoo, along with the Northern Beaches Department of Education and Training (DET) sought funding from Club Marine to establish ‘Project Penguin’, an eight week program to increase awareness amongst schools and the community of the plight of a local penguin colony.

Project Penguin aimed to change the attitude of the local community and demonstrate what people can do to help the endangered Little Penguins who come to the shore and rest very close to both locals and tourists on the beaches and wharf areas around Manly.

Taronga Zoo and Northern Beaches DET sought to build capacity by involving local students to create community awareness and change the behaviour of the local community, for example, encouraging dog owners to walk their dogs on leads.

Project Penguin involved the Northern Beaches Secondary College and seven local primary schools, and will work with Manly Council, Manly Environment Centre and National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Year 9 students will become ‘penguin experts’ and mentors and lead the primary school students during the project. Taronga Zoo and Northern Beaches DET hope that the project will encourage students to develop a sense of empathy and responsibility for their local biodiversity and pass this on to their family and other members of their local community. The program also aims to help students develop strong team work and mentoring qualities.

Over 800 students participated in Project Penguin during 2010, and the engagement and outcomes of the program were excellent, with a number of students now volunteering to help the penguins.

Outcomes of the program were monitored through self observation reflection journal entries in student and mentor work diaries; online post participation surveys for students, mentors and teachers; and formal evaluation focus groups involving key stakeholders post project.

Students were very creative in their campaigns, developing models, book marks, posters, DVD’s, websites, artwork, fact sheets, performances and games. The best entries were displayed in the local Manly area at community partner venues including shops, cafés, movie theatres and galleries.

Project Photographs