• Dead penguins have washed up on multiple beaches in the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.
• The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) is investigating a possible link between the penguin deaths and a toxic algal bloom (Karenia mikimotoi).
• Unusually warm water temperatures and delayed westerly winds are contributing to the persistence of the algal bloom.

Dead penguins have been discovered on beaches in the Eyre Peninsula, raising concerns among locals and prompting an investigation by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW). The penguin deaths are occurring against the backdrop of an ongoing microalgae bloom (Karenia mikimotoi) that has already led to the deaths of other marine life in South Australia. The DEW is exploring potential connections between the algal bloom and the penguin deaths, while also considering other possible causes, such as predators, starvation, disease, and entanglement in fishing nets.

• What: Dead little penguins have washed up on beaches.
• Who: The Department for Environment and Water (DEW), Krista Eleftherieu, Travis Barber (District Council of Streaky Bay Mayor), PIRSA.
• When: Penguin deaths reported on Tuesday (presumably May 6, 2025 based on article timestamp) and the weekend prior to May 8, 2025. The algal bloom is expected to persist until strong westerly winds arrive, historically around the end of April.
• Where: Eyre Peninsula beaches, including Almonta Beach in Coffin Bay National Park and beaches in Streaky Bay, South Australia.

The discovery of dead penguins on Eyre Peninsula beaches raises ecological concerns, particularly given the existing algal bloom and other marine life deaths. The potential link to the Karenia mikimotoi bloom is significant, as it could indicate a broader impact on the marine ecosystem. The delayed westerly winds and unusually warm water temperatures exacerbate the situation. Further investigation by DEW and PIRSA is crucial to determine the exact cause of the penguin deaths and implement appropriate measures to mitigate further environmental damage.

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. 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.

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.

Penguin carcasses do wash up on South Australian beaches from time to time, including in Coffin Bay National Park. 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.

The recent discovery of dead penguins on Eyre Peninsula beaches is a concerning development, potentially linked to the ongoing toxic algal bloom and exacerbated by warm water temperatures. While the exact cause of death remains under investigation, the incident highlights the vulnerability of marine life to environmental changes and the importance of continued monitoring and research efforts. The situation will likely persist until strong westerly winds arrive and disrupt the bloom.