Photo credit: en:User:Cburnett, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition
“Listen up: new insights into little penguins’ sensitivity to noise.” That’s the title of a report on the Science Daily website, but I think the title is misleading. The research wasn’t done on penguins that are tinier than usual, but on a species known as Little Blue Penguin, also known as Fairy Penguins. These penguins are indeed the world’s smallest, and they are particularly vulnerable to marine noise pollution because their habitats often overlap with shipping lanes, coastal developments and human recreational activities.
The research found that these penguins can hear sounds ranging from 200-6,000 hertz under water. Marine noise pollution from boats ranges from 20-10,000 hertz. The researchers reported that noise pollution can cause stress for the penguins, and might interfere with feeding and other behaviors. They hope that the results of this study can inform management plans that will reduce noise pollution impacts on the animals.
Both animals and humans (we are animals, after all) evolved in quiet. Loud noise is rare in nature, especially underwater. Animals use hearing for communication, locating food, avoiding predators and mating behaviors. Reducing noise pollution will help them thrive in a changing world. A quieter world will be a better and healthier world for all — including our feathered friends!
