Ceramic Burrows for Little Penguins
Little Penguin ceramic art burrow.
Image: Bridget Jupe
We’re excited to announce that the Derwent Estuary Program has received a City of Hobart Creative Art Medium grant to collaborate with artists on designing clay burrows for Little Penguins. This art-meets-science project brings together a writer, photographer, ecologist, and ceramic artist to create five burrows that will enhance penguin habitat in Hobart.
Little Penguins nest along the lower Derwent Estuary, including at two colonies within Hobart. Once more abundant, their numbers have declined due to urban development encroaching on breeding sites. The local population is now estimated at just 150 breeding birds and faces threats from human disturbance, domestic pets, food scarcity, and climate change (such as increased temperatures and sea level rise).
This initiative builds on a successful project in Kingborough, where stress-tested clay burrows were quickly adopted by penguins for nesting and moulting. The new burrows aim to offer similar support to Hobart’s vulnerable colonies.
Thursday 24 July 2025