European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 17, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Antarctica a penguins in danger of being loved to death by Peter James Spielmann the associated press Antarctic penguins just want to Settle into their rookeries Lay eggs and raise their Chicks. But that won t satisfy the tourists. A. A / a Quot tourists who want their pictures taken with the Birds tourists who offer them crusts of bread. Tourists who pop Flash bulbs at them. Tourists who toss cigarette Butts film wrappers chewing gum foil and water bottles on the ground. Penguins seals and other wildlife Are in danger of being overwhelmed by tourists. As a result the 42 signatories of the 1959 Antarctic treaty which governs administration of the Polar continent have adopted tourism regulations for the first time. Antarctica has no police to keep an Eye on tourists but the regulations which tour operators will be asked to enforce Are a beginning. Every year cruise ships take 5,000 to 8,000 visitors to Antarctica most of them Well to do retired americans. The largest number visit the Antarctic Peninsula that stretches toward the tip of South America. In three decades of such visits tourists have blighted parts of Antarctica and put wildlife under stress with their very presence. The population of a Penguin rookery at Cape Royds on the Ross sea began declining in the 1970s after the United states and new zealand flew repeated helicopter loads of vip guests in for sightseeing. Evidently the penguins mating and egg laying cycles were affected said Janet Dalziell Antarctic programs coordinator for the Greenpeace environmental groups. As measured by their heart rates penguins experience stress As soon As humans come into sight. 1 Quot that s the one example that s been documented Quot Dalziell said of the Cape Royds penguins. T around the Antarctic Peninsula where cruise ships drop passengers off near Penguin rookeries there s much higher concentrations of human activity Quot she said. Quot the tourists like getting very close. They like being there at the most picturesque time when the Breeding is going on Quot one of the new rules adopted at the april meeting of the Antarctica signatories in Kyoto Japan says tourists May not approach if their presence Quot alters the behaviour Quot of seals penguins or other wildlife. Some depredations by tourists have been grotesque. Visitors have painted Graffiti on the rocks of elephant Island and on old fuel tanks for whaling ships on deception Island. Dalziell said there Quot Are Well documented cases Quot at historic Sites of tourists walking off with pieces of equipment and supplies left by Antarctic explorers. The tourist rules Are an elaboration of the treaty nations 1991 protocol on the environment clarifying it and creating guidelines for the tourism Industry according to the australian Antarctic division. Australia was a principal Backer of the new code. 4 most cruise lines Are careful and responsible Dalziell said Quot but in the last few years we be seen quite an increase in Cowboy tour  some round the world cruise ships simply decide to Detour to Antarctica while rounding South America even putting passengers ashore dressed in sneakers she said. Tourists who violate the rules and cruise operators that do not enforce them can be prosecuted under the Laws of their Home countries or of the nation where the ship is registered Australia Laws prohibit any australian including a scientist or tourist from molesting wildlife. Under the Kyoto rules All Tours must be Quot self sufficient and Safe Quot with trained guides experienced in Antarctic conditions and familiar with regulations governing the continent. The australian Antarctic division noted that charts of the continent s coast Are confusing and sometimes contradictory currents Are treacherous and icebergs Are a constant danger. There have been several near disasters involving tourist ships and one Shipwreck. Visitors to Antarctica Are still Welcome but they must follow certain rules Don t feed the seals keep your hands off the penguins and Quot do not collect or take away ,. Rocks Bones eggs fossils and parts or contents of buildings Quot according to the Kyoto pact. A. And Don t bother the scientists either. They re having enough trouble with stressed out seals and penguins. A a a a not researchers record observations of Breeding penguins at a rookery in Antarctica. 22 the stars and stripes wednesday August 17,1994