Blue penguins 'need protection now'

By SARAH FOY - Taranaki Daily News

14/07/2010

CAMERON BURNELL/Taranaki Daily News

BIRD TALK: Environmental educator Nathan Hills, of the 60 Springs programme, and marine biologist Philippa Agnew will talk penguins with Taranaki school students starting a three-day camp.

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A marine biologist analysing the world's smallest breed of penguin is handing on her knowledge to a new crop of scientists and environmentalists.
Philippa Agnew, of the renowned Oamaru blue penguin colony, talks to 10 high school students, who are taking part in a three-day camp focusing on the blue penguin, in New Plymouth today .
Called Penguin Experience, the camp is run by 60 Springs, a sustainability programme available to year 7 to 13 students throughout Taranaki.
The Oamaru colony in the South Island is a high-profile tourist and conservation attraction that records 75,000 visitors each year.
Its position is unique, says Ms Agnew, because it is a former quarry close to town, and has notched up success in building blue penguin numbers. It began in 1993 with 33 pairs; now there are 136 pairs.
Ms Agnew is about to begin a research project using GPS and depth recorders to reveal where penguins feed at sea. The project will study environmental changes and the population biology of the native species.
She expects the research will take four years and provide baseline data for other bird populations around the country.
Blue penguins are more common in the north of Taranaki. Footprint tracks have been found at Wai-iti and Tongaporutu. There's also evidence of them at Opunake.
Ms Agnew says Taranaki does not appear to have concentrated populations where it is easy to confirm the birds are free from predators like dogs, stoats and rats.
"That's something that has come out of Oamaru, that when you protect the bird and provide nesting habitats you have the potential to get a successful population established.
"My study might show what can be gained by protecting a breed from harm, as well as providing scientific information."
While the blue penguin is not a threatened species, numbers are probably declining and now is the time to protect them, she says. More coastal development and increasing recreational use will, in time, put pressure on their habitats.
The 60 Springs Penguin Experience also includes an overnight camp at Urenui, a survey of the coastal walkway, the making of penguin boxes and talks by other guest speakers.
Ms Agnew gave a public lecture at Puke Ariki last night.

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