Daily Penguin Feeding Sessions at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm
The Penguin Experience Discovery Centre is a viewing and interpretive facility for visitors to learn all about Penguin Islands most famous residents - the Little Penguin. The Discovery Centre was built by the Department of Environment and Conservation in 1987. It has a dual purpose as an educational facility that can house up to 200 visitors as well as a sanctuary to care for injured wild penguins or those deemed unfit for release. The Little Penguins housing area has been designed to reflect their natural sandy, coastal scrub environment and includes a saltwater pond with perspex viewing panels to watch the little penguins swim.
Currently there are 10 resident little penguins that are the star attractions at the Discovery Centre. The boss of the group is Piggy (named for his healthy appetite!) whose life long partner is Gerry the only female of the group. They are proud parents to the youngest pair Nemo and Sassy. Jojo, Skip, Lou, Peri, Pengu and Sedge make up the rest of the group who have been badly injured, orphaned as chicks or born in captivity - it is unlikely that they would survive in the wild.
The Discovery Centre also provides research facilities kindly sponsored by the Western Mining Corporation Limited. Many important studies on the local wildlife have been undertaken here over the years. The most recent study is mapping out the nesting sites of all the 600 pairs of the islands resident little penguins. The Department of Environment and Conservation is always looking for volunteers to help with research and conservation projects on Penguin Island. For more information go to www.calm.wa.gov.au
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