Taranaki Little Blue Penguins

Penguins have already started breeding in Taranaki which makes it earlier than expected. Nice to hear that penguins are back at Bell Block beach. Keep an ear out and look for those prints.
Don't forget to register your interest for penguin week by emailing me at taranakipenguins@gmail.com - Happy Feet everyone

This year I have been awarded a teacher fellowship to research little blue penguins in Taranaki. I am working closely with DOC and Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society.


Why research little blue penguins?
There is concern that the population of little blue penguins is in decline in Taranaki. They use to be a common sight /sound and smell, often found under baches at sea side settlements like Oakura. Things have changed in the last 10 - 20 years. There are more people living by the coast, many of the baches have been replaced with concrete floor dwellings and the number of dogs and cats near the coast has increased.

One of my aims is to establish the little blue penguins distribution, both historically and in the present time. To accomplish this I am talking to locals about there experiences with little blues in the past. Present data is being collected by footprint surveys and night surveys.