Editing Little penguin (section)

== Threats ==
=== Introduced predators ===
Introduced mammalian predators present the greatest terrestrial risk to little penguins and include cats, dogs, rats, and particularly ferrets and [[stoats]].<ref name="pengsent"/><ref name="penguins-cl"/> Significant dog attacks have been recorded at the colony at Little Kaiteriteri Beach,<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Carson |first=Jonathan |date=3 September 2014 |title=DOC devastated by death of penguins |newspaper=[[The Nelson Mail]] |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/10455400/DOC-devastated-by-death-of-penguins |access-date=4 September 2014}}</ref> and a suspected [[stoat]] or [[ferret]] attack at Doctor's Point near [[Dunedin]], New Zealand, claimed the lives of 29 little blue penguins in November 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mead |first=Thomas |date=5 November 2014 |title=Stoat suspected in Little blue penguin massacre |publisher=3 News |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/stoat-suspected-in-little-blue-penguin-massacre-2014110517 |url-status=dead |access-date=11 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111032429/http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/stoat-suspected-in-little-blue-penguin-massacre-2014110517 |archive-date=11 November 2014}}</ref>

=== Oil spills ===
Little penguin populations were significantly affected by a major oil spill with the [[Rena oil spill|grounding of the ''Rena'']] off New Zealand in 2011, which killed 2,000 seabirds (including little penguins) directly, and killed an estimated 20,000 in total based on wider ecosystem impacts.<ref name="Backhouse">{{cite news |last=Backhouse |first=Matthew |date=28 December 2011 |title=Penguin reigns in battle for nation's hearts |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10775569 |access-date=28 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=25 November 2011 |title=Rena: Oil clean-up chemical worries Greenpeace |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rena-oil-spill/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503203&objectid=10768517 |access-date=28 March 2012}}</ref> Oil spills are the most common cause of the little penguins being admitted to the rehabilitation facilities at Phillip Island Nature Park (PINP). These oil spill recurrences have endangered not just the little penguins, but the entire penguin population. This can further decline the population, which can lead to possible extinction.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Goldsworthy |first1=S. D. |last2=Giese |first2=M. |last3=Gales |first3=R. P. |last4=Brothers |first4=N. |last5=Hamill |first5=J. |date=2000 |title=Effects of the Iron Baron oil spill on little penguins (Eudyptula minor). II. Post-release survival of rehabilitated oiled birds |url=https://www.publish.csiro.au/wr/wr99076 |journal=Wildlife Research |language=en |volume=27 |issue=6 |pages=573–582 |doi=10.1071/wr99076 |issn=1448-5494}}</ref>

===Fire===
Increased frequency of drought and extreme temperatures in Southern Australia has led to an increased fire risk.<ref name="Flemming"/> Being flightless birds that nest on land, little blue penguins are especially vulnerable to fire. Behavioural traits such as reluctancy to abandon nests and emerging mostly during daylit hours is thought to be some of the main reasons for increased vulnerability in the future.<ref>Berlincourt, M., Arnould, J. P., & Y. (2015). Influence of environmental conditions on foraging behaviour and its consequences on reproductive performance in little penguins. Marine Biology, 162(7), 1485-1501</ref> The threats it provides include nest and habitat distruption, as well as deadly to eggs and individuals, despite this ''Eudyptula minor''appears to show no fear towards fire when directly exposed. When observed, they have been to found to remain around or under vegetation until severely burnt or injured. Some have even been observed preening their feathers near to open flames.<ref name="Dann"/>

Fires can also significantly alter the composition of vegetation in Eudyptula minor habitats. A large fire in Marion Bay, South Australia in 1994 saw the loss of two key plant species; introduced marram grass ''Ammophila'' and coastal wattle ''A.sophorae''. Following the fire, these grasses were replaced by invasive palms ''A.arenia'' and ''A.sophorae''grew back in dense thickets. This habitat became no longer suitable for ''Eudyptula minor'' and colony relocated.<ref>Stevenson, C., & Woehler, E. J. (2007). Population decreases in little penguins Eudyptula minor in southeastern Tasmania, Australia, over the past 45 years. Marine Ornithology, 35, 71-76.</ref>