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Penguin digesters on the Isthmus. Photo Rich Youd
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Macquarie Island has a long history of exploitation of natural resources, with human activities on the island bringing one species after the other to the brink of extinction. Today many species have recovered, but the reminders remain. These penguin digesters were used to boil down penguins that were hunted for their oil. Royal penguins were particularly high in output for their size and were favoured by hunters. Eventually all species were targeted. Penguins here just stand there and look at you, if not stroll on over to check you out. They must have been very easy pickings for eager hunters.
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