Penguin Rescue Update

​Hello friends and family
We say goodbye to 2025 with relief – it was a below average year, and we have learned some lessons, but are pleased to put it behind us.

​It began badly with 6 Penguin deaths in care – 3 of unknown causes, 1 injured and 2 of Malaria – we have not had more that 2 die in our care for 10 years. Despite the mild weather, our seedling crop was miserable and failed to thrive. I lost a freezer full of fish and meat in October, then Nasty November delivered a savage blow – ¾ of our chicks died, mostly from RDS (red lung disease).

​We are looking forward to a much better 2026. The recently released DOC report on the state of the northern Hoiho population says we must do better with adult and juvenile survival, not just the chicks. To that end, we will be uplifting the juveniles that are hanging around in the new year and will support them through the moult.

Mr. and Mrs. 212 taking a day off

​The team has been out to do the monitoring rounds, the chicks are doing well, and the adults are looking chunky still. They are going post-guard which is normal for this time of the year.

Home alone in the boxthorn

​I got a call from the McTavish family about 5pm on Boxing day. There was a Hoiho on Moeraki beach, so I went and picked him up, Mr 172 – he is a good weight but being in the wrong place is often a sign of trouble.

Mrs. 165 ready to leave

​Elaine came out and we took bloods yesterday and he has no rampant disease. She dropped me at the top of the hill on her way home and I walked the coast, checking for other stragglers.
Dan arrives today and we will bring the New Year in with a check of the Titi.
Happy New Year to you all

Full of promise

Rosalie