Sunday 25th February 2024

Time to go - chicks leaving the soft release pen

​Hello friends and family,
This has been a full-on week.
On Sunday morning I went down the hill only to see 2 small boats with about 8 people harassing Hector’s dolphins. The people were young and selfish, but our protected species deserve better. I reported them. Monday was my birthday, so I was treated to chatting with the family and yummy food. Older but just as hedonistic!

looking for the ocean

​The team came out on Tuesday morning, and we did the rounds. We found about 6 penguins going into the moult at great weights, so we left them to get on with it. We found 2 under 7 kgs so brought them in. One was Mrs. 297, and she was with her partner, so we brought in the pair. Guess who lines up first for extra fish? It does not matter. She needs help and can get it with her mate happy in care. We took 9 chicks to soft release, leaving only 3 here at the lighthouse.

a visiting adult female sealion

​We got a call about a penguin at Kakanui, so Robbie spent a lot of time looking for it. He found one – a starving adult Hoiho from Stewart Island that we could not save. It has gone for an autopsy. 

two of the last to leave

​The busy times continued on Thursday. It was great to release the Little penguin down the hill where we found it. It took off to sea very quickly. Robbie picked up Mr 17 from the Wildlife hospital and then we found 3 more penguins needing help at Okahau. One was on the landing waiting for us.

Having a day off now the kids have left home

​The rest of the team went off to the Bluffs and I stayed with Elaine who was doing the bloods. It is so helpful to know more about why these beautiful birds need help. Jan brought back 2 penguins from the Bluffs. One of them was perched out in the full sun, on the cliff face. When she got here, she did not want to get out of the carry cage!

almost ready to go - just another kg required

On Friday evening, we picked up our first failed fledgling. It was one of ours, a natural fledge from Okahau that is already feeding from the hand.
Have a great week!
Rosalie