A small colony of little penguins, once extinct in a town on the NSW far south coast, is displaying promising signs of return.
The existence of penguins in Eden had been documented since the 1930s, but storms and predators disturbed their nesting sites, resulting in their local extinction by the 1990s.
But local conservationists are celebrating after several breeding pairs were spotted laying eggs and raising chicks around Twofold Bay.
“It’s exceeded all my expectations,” said Wendy Noble, chairperson of the Friends of Little Penguins Eden group.
“It’s really exciting, it’s the beginning of a colony, but it’s still got that fragility to it until we can protect them properly.”
Two pairs were spotted mid-year breeding at Wheel Cove near the Eagles Claw Nature Reserve, while a further six pairs have set up camp closer to the Eden wharf.
This little penguin chick was born in October 2023, becoming the first birth at Eden in 30 years. (Supplied: Julianne Noble)
The discovery comes after the first penguin chick was born in Eden in October 2023 for the first time in 30 years.
“These first few years are really vital that we treat them with absolute kid gloves,” said seabird researcher Nicholas Carlisle.
“This is something very precious that may grow, but we’ve got to give it that opportunity.”
Touch and go
The little penguins’ return to Eden is believed to be the result of an audio system that projects mating sounds across Twofold Bay.
It has been dubbed “the love machine”.
The aim was to entice more penguins to settle back at the Eagles Claw site, which has been fenced off from predators.
These little penguins were spotted at Eden mid-2025. (Supplied: Friends of Little Penguins Eden)
But instead, some penguins decided to settle at the second breeding ground near the wharf.
“They’ve created new homes, which is wonderful but it’s a bit tricky because it’s not very well protected against foxes, dogs and the public,” Mr Carlile said.
“Little penguins need their space.”
Eden is only one of two mainland sites in NSW home to the species, with the other located at Manly in Sydney.
There are other penguin colonies on islands on the NSW far south coast, like at Baranguba Montague Island, Snapper Island and Gabo Island.
Little penguins also live on Snapper Island, Baranguba Montague Island and Gabo Island (pictured). (Supplied: Michael Groom)
Conservationists say it is a crucial time to protect the penguins at Eden, because the colony is still settling in.
“It’s touch and go because there’s so few birds and it’s so easy for the wrong thing to happen,” Mr Carlisle said.
“It’s beholden to us to maintain that, at least until they get established, and safeguard as much as we can.”
Give them room
There are concerns that the second location, which is near the cruise ship terminal, is too exposed to the public and pests.
Two penguins were previously discovered dead in the area from a suspected fox attack.
Independent experts, the Friends of Little Penguins group, Bega Valley Shire Council, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Port Authority of NSW are working together to help protect the species.
Little penguins went extinct from Eden in the 90s, from frequent disturbance from storms and predators. (ABC News: Chris Sheedy)
Planning is underway to install more signage and fencing at the wharf site in particular.
In the meantime, the public is urged to keep their dogs on leashes if walking in the area, as the breeding season for little penguins goes from June to February.
“If we can’t manage the predators … we run the risk of losing that population because it’s still quite fragile,” Ms Noble said.
“I’m hoping Eden embraces these penguins and looks after them, so they stay.”
