Little penguins, formally known as Fairy penguins, are the smallest species of penguin and one of Sydney’s local residents. The little penguin colony on Manly peninsula is the only remaining colony on the entire mainland of New South Wales, but breeding pairs are decreasing every year. Conservation efforts have been strong, but in the face of expanding urbanization and environmental degradation, these little penguins have a big battle for their future.

Producer Jono Wakeley spoke with Elly Creek, marine mammal keeper at taronga zoo Sydney earlier this week.

He asked her, what makes little penguins so unique?