Sunday 4th August 2019

A rare treasure - a juvenile Yellow-eyed penguin in 2019

​Hello friends and family
The two juveniles quickly settled into the Hugo wing and by Monday they were preening each other but pecky at mealtimes. I went to Yoga on Monday morning and wore warm clothes which made it a lot more pleasant.

Penguin blood - no Malaria here!

​Robbie and I did the rounds on Tuesday morning and then went to Jan’s to see if we could help with the big clean up of her section. She had it all in hand and it is looking great. I blobbed on Wednesday and Robbie came on Thursday. After the rounds, he installed the new money box and we returned the concrete mixer to Hampden. While I was there, I collected some kelp from the beach for the asparagus in the garden. I have been talking about doing this for 17 years, so it was not a rushed activity!

My heritage - I am a second generation New Zealander.

​Yesterday was the annual Yellow-eyed penguin symposium. We all went and Hiltrun, Elaine and I presented, along with Bruce Russell from Otago University who spoke about Malaria as our guest. He was awesome!
In the morning the Minister of Conservation spoke and promised more money for rehabilitation. I did talk to her and suggest that any money was needed up front as promises don’t pay the bills.

Prospecting

​In the afternoon we were presented with glossy draft penguin saving brochures which are objects of beauty but what will they add to penguin conservation? We now have 6 weeks to comment on them – you will find the document here https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/penguins/yellow-eyed-penguin-hoiho/a-strategy-to-support-the-health-of-hoiho.
Please comment and ask for action – we already have enough rhetoric to float yet another cruise ship on! At the end of the conference we sat and watched the governance group (all paid) give themselves gifts.
(I am left speechless!)

Just a little rain brings life

Have a great week!
Rosalie
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