A better life for Oamaru penguins

Forest and Bird, Issue 266, 1 November 1992, Page 9

A better life for Oamaru penguins

SINCE 1985 the Waitaki branch of Forest and Bird has been helping to improve the habitat of the Oamaru blue penguin colony by planting native vegetation and providing nest boxes. The birds have been particu larly at risk from dogs and cars. In July this year a 30-metre fence funded by Canon was put up to keep dogs away fron the area and nest boxes were installed with the help of

finance from Hastings/Havelock North Forest and Bird. Waitaki District Council will now develop part of the council quarry (which has many nesting penguins) into a reserve area. Forest and Bird and the Department of Conservation are on the planning committee and many groups have rallied in support. Waitaki Forest and Bird has provided nest boxes,

the council has supplied plants and removed industrial rubbish, the Oamaru Licensing Trust has provided finance and Waitaki Power has volunteered to assist with lighting. There are plans to create some no-go areas at sensitive parts of the quarry colony, for lighting in the area to be better controlled and for special viewing areas to be set up so

that the penguins have more security and protection but are still visible to visitors. While most mainland blue penguins colonies are under severe threat from predators, habitat loss, set nets and human persecution (see Forest and Bird February 1992) there is growing cause for optimism at Oamaru where the colony still has about 1,200 birds with numbers possibly increasing.