Abstract
This paper records the abstracts of the presentations given at the 7th Penguin Symposium, held at the Kingsgate Brydone Hotel, Oamaru, New Zealand, 24 and 25 June 2010.
Global Penguin Society: the penguin advocacy for the oceans
P Borboroglua and PD Boersmab
a CONICET, Argentina, Boulevard Brown, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; b Global Penguin Society; University of Washington, Department of Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
The fragile conservation status of most penguin populations mirrors the Southern Ocean's condition and the world's oceans problems. Variations in ecosystem structure, processes, and productivity, caused mainly by climate change, pollution, and fisheries mismanagement impoverish living systems. Penguins are impacted by these alterations: 60% of penguin species are considered vulnerable or endangered (IUCN). Penguins can serve as cost-effective indicators of the health of the oceans, providing insight into the magnitude and location of marine conservation needs. As charismatic, seascape species, penguins can increase awareness of ocean health, causing reconsideration of policies and behaviors harming penguins. Penguin also can foster public and political support for integrated ocean conservation. The Global Penguin Society (GPS), a new international, science-based conservation coalition, is dedicated to the survival and protection of the world′s penguin species. GPS has three inter-related components: science, management and education. GPS seeks to integrate synergistically research and conservation groups, speeding penguin and ocean conservation efforts. The coalition supports science needed for the conservation and adequate management of penguins and marine environments at local and global scales. GPS helps assessing the status of penguin populations, educating and advising governments and communities, linking people to policy, promoting and helping consolidate marine conservation initiatives, and campaigning through the media to make a change for ocean conservation for and through the penguins.
Setting up a monitoring regime for blue penguins on Matiu/Somes Island, Wellington Harbour
R Cotter
Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Petone, Wellington, New ZealandA 4-year study on the effects of adding metal bands to the flippers of blue penguins on Matiu/Somes Island began in 2007. There is a concern that the bands affect the survival rate of blue penguins by reducing their speed in the water reputedly by up to 20%. I have been involved in banding spotted shags, black-backed gull chicks and blue penguins for the last 25 years on Matiu/Somes Islands. We have searched the greater part of the island (25.9 ha) for nest sites. The island was divided up by the walking tracks and natural barriers and then coded, i.e. North Point (NP) Cable Bay (CB) etc. and the sites in each section numbered sequentially as they were found, e.g. NP 1 onwards. For the penguin banding versus transponder study, only easily accessible nest sites were chosen which covers about 60% of the breeding habitat on the island. We have put in 170 wooden nesting boxes which were made by Kiwi Conservation Club members, local High Schools and Colleges. These were distributed around the island in suitable places likely to be used by penguins. We moved a number of these boxes to new sites after no occupation occurred after 2 years. Volunteers from the local Forest and Bird, and Ornithological Society of New Zealand branches assist with the project along with staff from the local Department of Conservation Area Office and Victoria University students. Monitoring is conducted over a 3-day period staying for 2 nights, either at fortnightly or monthly intervals depending on the stage of the breeding season. Most night work is done in the more easily accessible wharf area and on paths above the wharf. All penguins arriving ashore in the evening are captured and checked for bands and transponders. New (unmarked) birds are tagged and measured, and given a temporary mark of non-toxic paint on the head. By day the field teams check known natural nest sites and artificial nest boxes to see which ones are occupied, and to record the presence of eggs and chicks. By January 2010 we had located and marked 377 potential penguin nest sites (a mixture of natural sites and the wooden nest boxes) and we have found at least 166 of these sites occupied at some stage by blue penguins. Other interesting finds include a ‘mottled’ blue penguin, several penguins with algae growing on them, birds with the appearance of white-flippered penguins and a tuatara taking over a penguin nest box.
Comparing the costs and benefits of flipper bands versus transponders in monitoring blue penguin breeding activity on Matiu/Somes Island, Wellington
G Taylor
Research and Development Group, Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand
This project started in July 2007 to assess whether flipper bands were compromising the survival and fecundity of blue penguins in New Zealand. The breeding population on Somes Island, Wellington Harbour was chosen as our study site. The project involved locating existing nest sites, putting in new artificial nest boxes and marking penguins with flipper bands, transponders or a dual mark of both types of tags. A large, dedicated team of community volunteers has helped run the project led by Reg Cotter (Ornithological Society of New Zealand). Up to May 2010 we have flipper-banded 244 adults and 181 chicks, and inserted transponders into 140 adults and 82 chicks of blue penguins. We also dual-tagged a further 54 adults, to establish rates of tag loss. In total, just over 700 new birds have been marked to complement a previously flipper-banded population at this site. The field teams have re-trapped blue penguins with flipper bands on 719 occasions and captured birds with transponders on 199 occasions. No analysis of mark-recapture survival rates of these birds has been attempted to date. In addition, we established a battery powered transponder reader unit at a preferred landing site by the local wharf and have logged penguins using this site by storing records on a custom-made datalogger. The logger was set up on 11 September 2008 and has run intermittently up to early April 2010 due to issues with battery power and vandalism. A solar panel was then added and it has run continuously since that date (last downloaded on 3 May 2010). In that 20-month period 5878 separate movement events were logged (time, date and transponder numbers with repeats at minute intervals) for 37 different blue penguins. Thirty times as much data has been gathered from the automatic transponder logger compared to hand capture of birds. These data are providing a detailed picture of daily movements, time of arrivals and departures, and bird behaviour at the logger site. There is an opportunity to do experimental manipulations of the birds by adding flipper bands to some transponder only birds and removing flipper bands from others to assess changes in visitation frequency and time of arrival. This along with information on bird weights, breeding outcomes and survival rates will allow us to determine in the next 2 years whether or not flipper bands are desirable as a marking tool.
Penguin population developments at Flea Bay 2000–2008
T Strackea and F Helpsb
a 1/42 Lindsay St, St Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand; b Flea Bay, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand
The little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor albosignata) population at Flea Bay, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand, showed a significant increase in numbers during a period of eight years between 2000 and 2008. The data collected during the current census was compared to previous counts in the years 2000 and 2004. The area was divided into 15 sections previously used by Shireen and Francis Helps, using topographical marks (fence-lines and rivers) as borders. Surveyors walked across the area approximately 10 m apart, counting nests based on the presence of eggs, chicks, adult penguins or fresh guano. The nest counts were then entered into a database. In 2004, an increase of 23.8% was found compared with 2000 and a further 19.7% since then. Overall the penguin population showed an increase of 48.2% since 2000. Three outer sites even indicate a “push of boundaries” where penguins nested outside of the previously counted territory. One area in particular doubled in numbers following increased efforts in predator control. Two areas were not grazed prior to 2004 and only started to show growing numbers since then. This census shows that Flea Bay remains one of New Zealand's largest mainland colonies of little blue penguin.
Mortality in little blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) from New Zealand: the role of starvation, parasites and other diseases
MJ van Rensburga, M Alleyb, B Gartrellb and D Bruntonc
a Institute of Natural Sciences (INS), Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand; b Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science (IVABS), Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; c Institute of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
Between April 1993 and January 2009, 160 little blue penguins (LBP) (Eudyptula minor) were submitted to the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. All carcasses were examined grossly and histologically. Necropsy findings were entered into the national wildlife database (HUIA) and are reviewed herein. The primary objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the main factors associated with LBP mortality; and (2) conclude whether parasitic, infectious and non-infectious diseases are contributing factors to mortality. Diseases were subcategorised according to the aforementioned categories, and those with unknown aetiology are reported. The main causes of death in chicks were diseases of unknown aetiology. Pertaining to adults and juveniles, starvation was associated with mortality in 41.5% (n=63) of cases and disease (all categories) in 53.3% (n=81). Parasitic disease and diseases of uncertain aetiology were the most common disease types. A large proportion of parasitised penguins had renal and gastro-intestinal parasites. Kidneys were the most frequently affected organs, followed by the gastro-intestinal tract and liver. Trauma was evident in 18.4% (n=28) individuals, and predation and drowning were associated with death in 4% (n=7) and 2% (n=3) of cases respectively. In all age groups, the likelihood of infectious, non-infectious and disease of unknown aetiology was significantly higher in LBP that harboured one or more parasites. Starvation and parasites were associated, but only in adults. Results from this study suggest that starvation and disease, including parasites, are significant factors associated with mortality of LBP in New Zealand, as has been found in Australian LBP populations.
Breeding success and divorce and their consequences on mate and nest retention in blue penguins, Eudyptula minor
H Ratz
Penguin Place, Harington Point, Dunedin, New Zealand
A small Blue penguin Eudyptula minor colony was monitored twice weekly at the north headland of Pipikaretu Beach, Otago Peninsula, New Zealand, from 2002 to 2009. Breeding success was examined for unchanged pairs, experienced-mate pairs (pairs with two experienced adults that have not bred with each other), new-mate pairs (either male or female had no experience) and new-recruit pairs (both adults bred for the first time). Fertility, chick survival and proportion of successful nests was found to be significantly higher in unchanged pairs and experienced-mate pairs compared to new-recruit pairs, but only chick survival was significantly higher compared to new-mate pairs. Therefore breeding success was dependent on total experience present in a pair. Mean divorce rate was 22% (range 5–47%). Mate retention was significantly higher for successful pairs than failed pairs. Nest retention was not related to breeding success for unchanged pairs or divorced males or females. No difference was found for nest retention of single males compared to single females (due to divorce or loss of mate combined). No difference was found between nest retention of widowed males and females, but significantly more divorced males retained the nest site compared to divorced females. With no shortage of available nest sites, it is the male that retains the nest site after divorce and the female moves away in search of a new mate and a new nest.
Determining dietary shifts caused by at-sea events using stable isotope analysis
SA Flemming
Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Some little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) populations in Australia and New Zealand are in decline due to human disturbances and fluctuating oceanic conditions. Predator trapping and introducing nest boxes are effective land-based strategies that have slowed the decline in some areas. At-sea events such as La Nina can cause major dietary shifts in little blue penguins, lowering their breeding success. Stomach flushing is the conventional method in determining diet, but is invasive and time consuming. I aim to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of stable isotope analysis as a management tool to determine dietary shifts occurring when individuals leave the breeding colony to forage. During the study, penguins at individual breeding sites will be sampled for stomach contents, prey items, blood, feathers and claws. Using stomach contents I will determine major prey item species and size. Stable isotope analysis will be carried out on prey items, blood, feathers and claws, which will potentially indicate the relative foraging area and trophic level individuals at each site are feeding at. Comparisons will be made between stable isotope analysis and stomach content analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of stable isotopes in detecting differences in species composition and/or species proportions between localities. If successful, this study can promote the use of stable isotope analysis in determining little blue penguin diet, while complementing current land-based management strategies.
Foraging behaviour, reproductive performance and population growth in an increasing population of blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) at Oamaru, New Zealand
P Agnew
Marine Science Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony was set up in 1993 as a penguin viewing facility with the aim of providing blue penguins with a safe breeding habitat, free both from introduced predators and disturbance by people. The success of the operation is not only reflected in the increasing number of visitors each year, but also in the increasing number of blue penguins each season. Since 1993, the population has increased steadily from 33 breeding pairs to 160. The plan for the next 3-4 years at the colony is to undertake a research project examining various aspects of the population that may have contributed to this success. The research will examine the relationship between foraging and reproductive performance throughout the breeding season and across three breeding seasons (2010–2012). The research will also carry out a detailed analysis of the population through 19 breeding seasons (1994–2012), enabling predictions of future trends. The proposed research is unique in that it will combine analyses of foraging behaviour, demographic parameters and environmental variability, in an increasing population that appears free from the density-dependent or anthropogenic impacts faced by blue penguins elsewhere.
A reduction in population size of the Snares crested penguin
DM Houston
Department of Conservation, Wellington Hawke's Bay Conservancy, Wellington, New Zealand
In October 2000, the first full count of Snares crested penguins (Eudyptes robustus) on the Northeast Island of the Snares revealed 26,659 breeding pairs and 2,206 non-breeding pairs. Combined with estimates for Broughton Island and the Western chain, the world population of Snares crested penguins was estimated at 31,000 pairs. This count was likely to be significantly more accurate than the previous estimate of 23,000 breeding pairs in 1986 which was based on chick counts. A count in 2008 using the same methods as used in 2000 revealed 17,133 breeding pairs on the Northeast island and a further 3,691 breeding pairs on Broughton Island, an overall reduction of 27.7%. Of note was the increase in non-breeding pairs from 8.5% to 21%. The Western Chain was visited but breeding had not yet commenced. Assuming a similar change in the small Western Chain population, the total population of Snares penguins is now estimated at 26,300 pairs. The reasons for the decline are unknown and no evidence of terrestrial factors that may be negatively effecting the population was observed.
Magellanic penguins in Patagonia: conservation and management challenges
P Borboroglua, LM Reyesb and PD Boersmac
a CONICET, Argentina, Boulevard Brown, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; b Universidad Nacional de La Patagonia, Blvd. Brown, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Rufford Small Grants Foundation, London, UK; c University of Washington, Department of Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
Magellanic penguins breed in the Southern Cone of South America, and are a major ecotouristic highlight in Patagonia. The Atlantic population distribution is shifting northward. Central Atlantic Patagonia colonies decreased substantially during the last two decades while northern colonies increased and new colonies expanded the northernmost distribution range. The new scenario raises conservation and management challenges for the designation and management of Coastal/Marine Protected Areas (CMPA) in Patagonia. Design and implementation of CMPA should consider the socioeconomic context and community values, where public participation is crucial for success. However, in Latin America past dictatorial governments delayed citizen involvement in public issues and governments are still reluctant to share decisions. Our goal was to analyze the recommendations for successful planning and implementation in CMPA to benefit penguins, within the Patagonian coastal zone, based on the authors’ experience in planning processes coordination, and proposing alternatives to solve critical aspects. Crucial identified aspects include: political support, stakeholders’ involvement, inclusion of science, effective design, efficient governability, and regular monitoring. Particular strategies are required to resolve social aspects that affect stakeholders’ involvement. Political instability, government vertical structure, and dilution of responsibility require the construction of a social mesh during the planning process that can hold the objectives beyond the government changes, the generation of co-management agencies, and the clear definition of roles, respectively.
Away out to ‘A Zero’
G Loh
Ornithological Society, Dunedin, New Zealand
The seas off the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand, are an important mixing zone of ocean and coastal water masses. The nearby Southland Front drives the inshore currents onto Cape Saunders creating a headland front with downstream eddies, often rich in plankton. It is a zone of intense and diverse fish and wildlife feeding. “A Zero” is a proposed dredge spoil disposal site within these mixing waters. I have found that exploring this area reveals clues to important processes and offers some insights on how our fishing and industrial activities might influence them. For example, I have frequently found feeding fur seals attended by several mollymawks intent on gleaning scraps. Perhaps this is a pre-human feeding association. Fairy prions can dive below the surface to catch small fish. Drifting rafts of Durvillaea and Macrocystis provide seabird roosts and shelter for larval fish. Blue penguins forage in small groups. These groups avoid kayaks. These casual seabird observations are presented to encourage more people to venture out to see penguins at sea, and to lodge their observations in eBird and other publications provided by the NZ Ornithological Society.
A synopsis of penguins in the 4th edition (2010) of the ‘Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica’ by the Checklist Committee, Ornithological Society of New Zealand
Presented by G Loh
Ornithological Society, Dunedin, New Zealand
Order: Sphenisciformes
Appendix 1: Fossil birds. Several new pre-Holocene penguins listed
Appendix 2: Failed introductions. Spheniscus magellanicus, Magellanic penguin
Appendix 3: Maori names. Tawaki, Fiordland crested penguin; Hoiho, yellow-eyed penguin; Korora, little penguin
The committee did not follow Christidis & Boles (Australian list, 2008) in subsuming Snares crested penguin into Fiordland crested penguin.
An extinct crested penguin from the Chatham Islands awaits description.
Eudyptula minor
‘In view of the continuing uncertainty about the taxonomic status of these various populations, including the white-flippered birds often classified as Eu. albosignata or Eu. m. albosignata, we have placed all the penguins in one species, Eu. minor, and not recognised any subspecies, as in Checklist Committee (1990).
Hospitalisation of yellow-eyed penguins at the New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, Massey University
B White and P Conayne
New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
The yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) is classified as endangered (IUCN, Citation2010); therefore the successful treatment of individual birds and their return to the wild may contribute to conservation of this species. There are many challenges of keeping penguins in hospital. Experience gained through medical and surgical treatment of individuals, and their post-treatment care, is increasing knowledge and expertise of treating this species. The New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre (NZWHC), Massey University, is fortunate to have a dedicated avian hospital with a team of specialised avian veterinarians and technical staff who are experienced in the medical care and rehabilitation of penguins. Being part of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides the opportunity to utilise diagnostic and specialist services available. This includes anaesthesia and orthopaedic specialists, and radiographic and CT technology departments. Over the last few months NZWHC has had the privilege of treating several yellow-eyed penguins. This presentation will talk about two of the cases and discuss some of the rehabilitation issues for keeping and maintaining such a specialised patient in a hospital situation.
Craniofacial deformities recorded in hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) chicks at Okia Reserve (Otago Peninsula, NZ) during the 2008/09 breeding season.
K Bucklea, M Alleya, M Youngb and D Agnewb
a NZ Wildlife Health Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; b Coastal Otago Area Office, Department of Conservation, Dunedin, New Zealand
During the 2008/09 breeding season, eight hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin or Megadyptes antipodes) chicks from Okia Reserve were found to have severe craniofacial deformities. Six of these birds were so severely deformed that they were euthanised and sent to Massey University for necropsy. Though deformities are not unknown from hoiho, the number and concentration of chicks affected by these very severe deformities appears to be a unique occurrence. Samples from these birds, as well as from an unhatched egg, were tested for a number of toxins that may have been the causal factor. This paper provides a brief summary of this event and presents the results from testing and analysis of the specimens. A more thorough and detailed report on this event was prepared by Kelly Buckle, Massey University.
Auckland Island yellow-eyed penguin distribution survey 2009
L Thomson
Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, Dunedin, New Zealand
The Auckland Islands lie 460 km south of Bluff at latitude 50°S and are the largest of New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands. There is approximately 500 km of coastline, much of which is steep and inaccessible to penguins and people, particularly on the western side. Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust staff joined a Department of Conservation led trip, to undertake a distribution survey of yellow-eyed penguins on the islands. The priority was to search the eastern coast of the main island, followed by Carnley Harbour, Adams Island and lastly the small islands of Port Ross and the north eastern coast. Enderby Island was the lowest priority because work has previously been undertaken here with a reasonable estimate of the yellow-eyed penguin population.
This presentation is the first of a two part presentation and will cover the trip—the purpose, objectives, logistics, methods, weather, terrain, incidental findings and the team, as well as the questions around any future work on the islands.
A survey of yellow-eyed penguin distribution in the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands
KJ Beera and J Hiscockb
a 27 Ridge Road, RD2 Scotts Landing, Warkworth, New Zealand; b Southern Islands Area Office, Department of Conservation, Invercargill, New ZealandA team of observers worked in the Auckland Islands from 10 November to 01 December 2009, walking and boating areas of accessible coastline to determine the range of yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes, YEP). This was the first comprehensive distribution survey of YEP in the Auckland Islands beyond Enderby Island. The previously unsearched eastern bays of the main island were of particular interest. A total of 306 YEP landings were identified in the searched areas (197.7km). The predator-free northern islands and Adams Island had the highest density of YEP landings, with 4.14 landings/km and 2.87 landings/km searched respectively. Geographically, YEP appear to be clustered in the north and south of the island group; relatively few landings were found on the main island despite this area receiving c. 80% of the search effort. Densities were particularly low in the eastern inlets and the upper reaches of Carnley Harbour. The results of this distribution survey suggest that there are differences between the main Auckland Island and outer islands that affect the densities of landings (and therefore penguins) found there. Eradication of predators from the main island could be a future goal for YEP management in the sub-Antarctic. Any future trip with the goal of establishing a population estimate for the Islands should focus on the localities where the highest densities of landings were found. Time and money spent attempting to survey areas where few or no YEP landings were recorded will not be effective. A possible boat- and land-based method for achieving an estimate is proposed with a focus on nest-searching the areas known to be inhabited by YEP in 2009.
Breeding success of yellow-eyed penguins on Stewart Island and Codfish Island/Whenua Hou 2008–09
S King
Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, Dunedin, New Zealand
The first comprehensive census of yellow-eyed penguins on Stewart Island and some of its close outliers was carried out by the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust (YEPT) in the summers of 1999–2001. Results were 61 pairs on Codfish Island, and 103 breeding pairs on Stewart Island and some of its close outliers. From 2003–2008 the YEPT carried out a study of factors affecting breeding success of yellow-eyed penguins on Stewart Island, and during this time the number of breeding pairs on the Anglem coast declined from 30 in 1999, to 16 in 2007. This raised questions about whether the decline had occurred over the whole of Stewart Island or was confined to the Anglem coast. To answer this, Stewart Island and close outliers was resurveyed in the 2008–2009 summer, and Codfish Island/Whenua Hou was resurveyed in October 2009. Results of the repeat census show a decline on the Anglem coast and on Codfish Island, but not elsewhere. Closer analyses of the results and possible differential causes for decline are discussed.
Yellow-eyed penguin nest productivity 2004–2009: Boulder Beach and Sandfly Bay, Otago Peninsula
M Younga, M Hazel, U Ellenbergb, T Matternb and B McKinlayc
a Department of Conservation, Coastal Otago Area Office, Dunedin, New Zealand; b Zoology Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; c Department of Conservation, Coastal Otago Area Office, Dunedin, New Zealand
We reviewed nesting patterns for five breeding seasons at Boulder Beach and Sandfly Bay on the Otago Peninsula in the years 2004–2009. Estimates of hatching success, chick weights and nest productivity were derived for 454 nesting attempts. Comparisons of productivity between this period and previous published estimates are presented and discussed.
Sandfly Bay revisited: a study of visitor attitudes, awareness and activities at the Sandfly Bay Wildlife Refuge, Otago Peninsula
AM Steina, KJ Beerb and PJ Seddonc
a Zoology Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; b 27 Ridge Road, RD2 Scotts Landing, Warkworth, New Zealand; c Zoology Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
The potential impact of tourism activities for endangered wildlife on the Otago Peninsula has been widely debated in the past decade. The Sandfly Bay Wildlife Refuge on the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand, has been a site of particular attention regarding research into the effects of unregulated tourism for the endangered yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). This study was initiated as a follow up to a 2002/03 survey of the numbers, attitudes and awareness of visitors to Sandfly Bay. Since the completion of the 2002/2003 survey, new signage, a calibrated track counter, an extended viewing hide/screen and a volunteer warden program have been established to enhance visitor experiences and for wildlife protection. The effectiveness of these new management measures was of particular interest to the current survey. The aim of this project was to verify the accuracy of the track counter, determine which signs (if any) were being read, and repeat a survey of visitor attitudes and activities to determine if visitor behaviour has changed over the five-year period between the studies. Key issues that were identified included a greater proportion of foreign national visitors, a greater demand for wildlife viewing, improvements suggested concerned signage, increases in viewing distances from wildlife, and an increase in the desire for amenities. In addition, it was found that most visitors were willing to donate funds, and few visitors actually interacted with a warden. Recommendations included increased visitor education, installation of a donations box, and increased training of Department of Conservation wardens.
Management techniques to protect hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) from human disturbance: a review of the measures adopted at Sandfly Bay and Boulder Beach since 2006
D Agnewa, M Younga and U Ellenbergb
a Department of Conservation, Coastal Otago Area Office, Dunedin, New Zealand; b Zoology Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Concerns regarding the negative impact on hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin or Megadyptes antipodes) from increasing numbers of visitors to both Sandfly Bay and Boulder Beach, Otago Peninsula (Dunedin, NZ) were raised in 2006. Both sites fledged significantly lighter chicks than other less disturbed breeding locations resulting in lower first year survival and recruitment probabilities. At Sandfly Bay the number of breeding pairs also decreased. The few remaining pairs had significantly reduced breeding success compared to neighbouring less disturbed sites. Without implementation of effective management techniques it was feared that Sandfly Bay would soon cease to be an attractive penguin viewing destination. It was also feared that this would then lead to increasing visitor pressure on neighbouring penguin breeding sites with similar negative effects on breeding success. This paper comments on the relative success of the two different management techniques under trial at these sites and illustrates reasons for optimism that these techniques will assist recovery of these important breeding locations.
References
- IUCN 2010 . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.1 . www.iucnredlist.org (accessed on 14 June 2010).