Threats to penguins
Little blue penguin killed by a stoat
Small population sizes, restricted geographical ranges, predators and habitat degradation all contribute to the vulnerability of mainland New Zealand penguin species.
The main land-based predators are stoats, ferrets, rats, dogs, and feral cats. Penguins are also highly susceptible to human disturbance when nesting.
The yellow-eyed penguin is the New Zealand species most affected by habitat loss. A forest or shrubland nesting species, the yellow-eyed has come under pressure as forest has been replaced with pasture.
Other threats to penguins include:
- A slight warming of sea temperatures in the past 50 years, which is thought to have forced vital food species such as krill further south.
- Fisheries by-catch of penguins, especially when gill nets are used. Entanglement in nylon fishing line discarded by recreational fishers is also a threat to penguins.
- Spills of light fuel oil from fishing boats and the emptying of engine-room bilges. The oil coats penguins' feathers and prevents them from insulating properly. Fortunately, these incidences are rare around New Zealand.
- Sharks, seals, sea lions and occasionally orca prey on penguins while at sea. Leopard seals, usually residents of the Antarctic region, are specialist penguin predators and NZ sea lions occasionally dine on penguins. Fur seals rarely do.
- Skua (a large gull-like bird) and giant petrels are the penguin's only avian predators and will both take poorly guarded eggs and chicks. Skua are also capable of killing adult blue penguins.
Contacts
DOC HOTline - 24 hour emergency number
Phone 0800 DOC HOTline (0800 362 468) to report:
Sick or injured wildlife
Whale or dolphin strandings