Project BlueBird
Kaikōura Kororā
The Trust is coordinating efforts to urgently protect Little Penguin/Kororā, to safeguard White-Flippered Penguins (Endangered) and Blue Penguins (Declining). With only few kororā remaining in the Kaikōura district, it is critical that known threats are mitigated and safe breeding habitat is facilitated.
High mortality rates in relation to decreased ocean productivity (e.g. climate change and overfishing), in conjunction with secondary threats (e.g. dog attacks) and public disturbance, are primary concerns.
Aiding unwell penguins via emergency care is simply not enough, and represents a stretcher at the bottom of the cliff. Beyond the Trust facilitating emergency care, supplementary feeding and chick rearing efforts; Project BlueBird is focused on preventative measures, effective protection, and community guardianship.
Habitat Protection
The Trust is acting as a facilitator to enable kororā conservation efforts. Habitat protection involves collaborating with DOC, Kaikōura District Council, penguin conservation groups, scientists and volunteers.
Since July 2024, 60 penguin nest boxes have been built and deployed. Alongside creating suitable penguin habitat, upgrading delapidated built-in nest boxes, providing nesting material, predator trapping, installing awareness and dog control signage, as well as initiating native planting. The next stage is focused on implementing kororā safe zones where remnant pairs persist and remain extremely vulnerable to threats. Creating wildlife reserves will help protect breeding sites.
Human Disturbance
Human disturbance continues to be a major concern, negatively impacting penguins, with harassment and stress caused to the few kororā that remain. Examples include: Penguins being cut off on the beach when attempting to come ashore, penguins being blocked at access ramps, penguins being pursued, trespassing in breeding areas and tampering with nest boxes.
For those who care about Kaikōura kororā, please do not seek them out - they are not a visitor attraction. Those who ‘visit’ nesting sites prevent penguins from accessing nests and feeding their chicks. Disturbance is a preventable threat, especially in years of poor food supply and decreased survival. Penguins should only ever be viewed from a safe distance away from the shoreline, and not in direct line of sight. Please do not use flash lights (mobile phones, torches, etc) near penguins, only red lighting is acceptable.
Responsible Pet Ownership
Penguins are vulnerable to dog attacks, particularly during breeding and the annual moult. Dog attacks pose the greatest risk to penguin survival on land, with roaming dogs causing avoidable penguin injury and mortality. Dogs detect penguin scent easily - it only takes one bite to maim or kill a penguin. Dogs should be kept under control on leads in coastal areas. In Kaikōura the Dog Control Bylaw (2015) prohibits dogs at Point Kean, Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, Jimmy Armers Beach, South Bay Domain and South Bay Boat Park.
In residential areas, pet and stray cats pose a threat at breeding sites and particularly to penguin chicks. Containing pet cats indoors from dusk to dawn in coastal areas can save lives. Desexing pet cats and trapping rehomeable stray cats for transfer to rescues is vital to address cat related impacts on threatened seabirds.
