Experiments were employed to quantify the responses of penguins when approached
by a single person to 5 m, as this was the approach distance being recommended by
many tour operators and Government expeditions as appropriate (Naveen et al. 1989).
The effects of 15 and 30 m approaches were also examined to determine whether
greater set back distances were justified. The responses of penguins were quantified
from their behaviour (captured on video), and their heart rates (measured using
electrocardiogram units and artificial eggs, (see Giese et al. 1999). The responses of
penguins in the absence of human activity, when approached by other penguins and by
predatory skuas, were compared with responses to human approach.