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Photos 1 & 2 © Brent Beaven |
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A 5-year project, 2003 – 2008, was initiated in response to an observed decline in the number of breeding pairs of yellow-eyed penguins. Surveys in the early 1990’s estimated there to be ~600 breeding pairs on and around Stewart Islands, but the Trust’s own comprehensive population census work in 1999 – 2002 found only ~200 breeding pairs. Also observed were a low number of juveniles and a large number of unexplained chick deaths which were of significant concern. Identifying the problem will provide the relevant guidance for ongoing management of this threatened species.
The Trust is particularly interested in what happens to the chicks in their first month, and will be taking weights and measurements over this time. This will allow researchers to compare the growth rate of each chick with the expected normal growth rate. Assumptions can then be made about the food supply – if the growth rate is slower than normal right from hatching then the food supply may well be the main problem. If the growth rate begins well then slows later, it could be that disease is kicking in after a couple of weeks, which in turn causes the chicks to starve and growth to slow down.
Of course, this alone won’t answer all of the questions, but with the continuation of other external research into the foraging behaviour (i.e. where birds go to feed, how deep and how long their dives are) of birds on Stewart and Codfish Islands, more may be gleaned. Also beginning this year is a study of the penguins’ diet, and a more detailed investigation into the disease aspect of these birds. Researchers are hopeful that the end result will be a lot more detailed information, and, hopefully, some answers.
The Trust is proposing to carry out a full survey of the Auckland Islands in order to obtain a clear picture of the status of yellow-eyed penguin nationally, and to obtain a baseline for future comparison of changes in distribution and abundance. However this research will have to wait until necessary funds have been raised.
The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust
www.yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz
.