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Summary
Toroa | Southern Royal Albatross have declined by >30% since the 1990s, which is presumably largely caused by fisheries bycatch across their circumpolar range. Ecotourists, wishing to connect with this charismatic species, particularly at the Cole-Lyall boardwalk on Motu Ihupuku, may have additional impacts on this vulnerable, slow-breeding species, for example, by affecting breeding success during their visits. To better understand the impacts of ecotourism on Toroa, a multi-year nest survival study has been initiated, in which nests are monitored remotely using time-lapse cameras at areas within and outside the area visited by ecotourists.
Seventy-three time-lapse cameras were placed in the Col study area across the 2023, 2024, and 2025 breeding seasons to monitor Toroa breeding success in 1) areas within the Col-Lyal boardwalk area visited by ecotourists and 2) areas away from the boardwalk. Cameras deployed in 2023 failed quickly (see results) due to challenging conditions and suboptimal attachment methods, but cameras placed in 2024 performed better. Cameras placed in 2025 will be serviced in 2026. Consequently, data for the 35 nests monitored in 2023 and 2024 were considered for analysis using Bayesian GLMMs. Toroa nest survival away from the area visited by ecotourists was estimated at 0.665 (0.415-0.870) in 2023 and 0.669 (0.420-0.870) in 2024, while nest survival in the area visited by tourists was estimated at 0.700 (0.401-0.925) in 2024.
The mean of the nest survival estimate in the area visited by ecotourists is slightly higher than the mean of the estimate in the independent area in both 2023 and 2024, but all estimates are surrounded by large amounts of uncertainty. Consequently, while there are initial indications, that ecotourism does not appear to have an impact on Toroa nest survival, further data are required to gain more confidence. Recommendations going forward include:
- Obtaining further season’s data to reduce uncertainty.
- Applying formal nest survival models instead of GLMMs.
- Collect further nest survival data through revisiting of previous season’s nests instead of solely relying on cameras.
- Continue with the improved attachment methods.
- Consider analysing changes in nest density.
Publication information
Fischer, J.H., & Thompson, T. 2025. Monitoring ecotourism impacts on Toroa | Southern Royal Albatross breeding success. Department of Conservation. 5 p.