A group of Kaiteriteri residents in Southern New Zealand have banded together in an effort to save their local Little Blue penguin populations in the hopes of creating a penguin parade in their area. At its inaugural event yesterday, residents, holidaymakers and children met at Little Kaiteriteri to learn about ways they can save the protected species.
Spokesperson for the group working to save the penguins, Mark Oldfield, said he wanted residents to put nesting boxes in the area, as well as traps for predators.He said if residents worked to protect and encourage the nesting of the little blue penguins, they could have a penguin parade much like that in Oamaru where penguins can be seen scuttling between beach and nests at dusk and dawn.
The penguins were creating burrows under homes at Little Kaiteriteri, which some residents encouraged, while others did not, because of the noise and smell. “This is why we are encouraging people to set up the nest boxes.”Department of Conservation partnership ranger Al Check said there were many risks to the penguins, including traffic, rodents and dogs. He was concerned about the influx of dogs over the holiday season. DOC would provide dog training to stop dogs from attacking the penguins, he said.
The group were encouraged to use traps for predators and nesting boxes for the penguins. Some traps had been donated to the residents.Conservation Minister Nick Smith said he supported the “fantastic initiative” of the residents.“These are a very wonderful creature, and if we don’t look after them they won’t survive.” He said they were iconic to New Zealand and DOC was committed to their survival. “We need to make sure that the children here today can one day come back with their grandkids and there will still be the little blue penguins.”
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Penguins coming to Torquay harbour
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Posted: May 01, 2014
Penguins are going to be popping up all around Torquay harbour. Look out for the cheeky six inch characters in shops and businesses. Over 50 mini plaster of Paris penguins have been decorated in a range of dazzling designs by Living Coasts staff and volunteers, with others created by children and friends. The penguins will be on show in shop windows around the inner harbour, forming a fun free trail to follow.
Designs include a punk with a Mohican, Harry Potter, a Wagnerian Valkyrie, several versions of Superman, a ceremonial guardsman complete with bearskin, a peacock penguin and a Damien Hirst inspired design using 1800 rhinestones.
Hayley Gibson, from Living Coasts, explained: "Living Coasts is the home of the penguin, so it's fitting for our trail to feature this fabulous little bird. Many businesses are joining in, but we'd love every shop and café around the inner harbour to befriend a penguin for the summer. "The trail, which is free to enter, runs from Monday 26th May to Tuesday 30th September. Pick up a trail sheet from Living Coasts or any of the businesses taking part. Look for the posters displayed with the penguins. Each poster has a letter on it. When you have all the letters, find the phrase that they spell out and hand your answer in at Living Coasts. When the trail ends in September we'll select a winner – the prize is a Living Coasts penguin feeding experience."
The free trail is a miniature version of the highly-successful Great Gorilla Trail run by Living Coasts' sister zoo Paignton Zoo last year. Hayley again: "The penguins have really brought out the artistic skills of our team! We hope people will come down to the harbour, have fun following the trail and enjoy the wide range of shops and businesses found here."
For more information go to www.livingcoasts.org.uk or ring 0844 474 3366.
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