Conservation
Putting words into action!
Although they are the most abundant and widespread of the three penguin species breeding on the New Zealand mainland, Little Blue penguins illustrate important messages about seabird conservation in New Zealand and the risks that face foreshore ecosystems. At risk from disturbance by humans, dogs, cats and mustelids, Little Blue penguins no longer breed near towns and cities (except Oamaru and Wellington).
With this in mind, the International Antarctic Centre is actively involved in sponsoring the pupils of Le Bons Bay School, on Banks Peninsula, who, two years ago, embarked on a penguin conservation programme.
This programme saw the setting of a trap line around the headland at Le Bons Bay above a known colony of White Flippered penguins (a sub-species of the Little Blue penguin) that was showing a decrease in numbers of breeding pairs. The line was set to trap ferrets, wild cats and stoats that are known predators of the White Flippered and Little Blue penguin.
The colony has been monitored since the programme started and it is estimated that it has grown by an extra 12 breeding pairs.
The International Antarctic Centre acknowledges and thanks the pupils and parents of Le Bons Bay School for their hard work and commitment to penguin conservation in their area.
If you wish to help contribute to this programme, please click on the Sponsorship link.
Although they are the most abundant and widespread of the three penguin species breeding on the New Zealand mainland, Little Blue penguins illustrate important messages about seabird conservation in New Zealand and the risks that face foreshore ecosystems. At risk from disturbance by humans, dogs, cats and mustelids, Little Blue penguins no longer breed near towns and cities (except Oamaru and Wellington).
With this in mind, the International Antarctic Centre is actively involved in sponsoring the pupils of Le Bons Bay School, on Banks Peninsula, who, two years ago, embarked on a penguin conservation programme.
This programme saw the setting of a trap line around the headland at Le Bons Bay above a known colony of White Flippered penguins (a sub-species of the Little Blue penguin) that was showing a decrease in numbers of breeding pairs. The line was set to trap ferrets, wild cats and stoats that are known predators of the White Flippered and Little Blue penguin.
The colony has been monitored since the programme started and it is estimated that it has grown by an extra 12 breeding pairs.
The International Antarctic Centre acknowledges and thanks the pupils and parents of Le Bons Bay School for their hard work and commitment to penguin conservation in their area.
If you wish to help contribute to this programme, please click on the Sponsorship link.
International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Phone: +64 3 353 7798 Fax: +64 3 353 7799 Email: Freephone: 0508 PENGUIN (0508 736 4846) - from NZ landlines only
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