Deaths of Adélie penguins at Mawson November–December 2001 investigated

Over 120 adult Adélie penguins were found dead in unusual circumstances on Welch Island near Mawson between 23 November and 4 December, 2001. It is concluded the most likely cause of death was severe injury from being crushed by ice at the ice land interface. Circumstance surrounding the death of the penguins suggested initially that disease may have been implicated and so investigations were treated accordingly. The sampling protocols developed by CEMP were used in these investigations.