Hello,
World Penguin Day shares the same day as Anzac Day in New Zealand unfortunately, so we tend not to make a big deal of it. We would love to persuade somebody to change the date for us! Having said that, and while some of us attended dawn ceremonies and other Anzac Day events, we still recognised the penguin day and thought of all those people volunteering and working to help protect the world's penguin species.
The Taiko festival is approaching this weekend in Punakaiki. It is a unique and fantastic festival, highly recommended - a wonderful West Coast mix of live music, partying, bird and nature conservation, children's activities, market stalls and lots more. We are a part of it and know that it's a great event for the whole family.
Some of the Trust are off to the biennial Oamaru Penguin Symposium this week, and that means unfortunately some of us will miss the Taiko festival, but we will return with lots of stories, new knowledge and inspiration. Luckily Kerry-Jayne is staying for the festival so don't worry if you thought you would miss out. She will be there to deliver her Taiko talks Friday evening and Saturday and she'll be at our market stall for a chat.
We have exciting news to report of a new penguin fence being erected in Hokitika. Let's hope this makes a sizeable difference to the number of penguin deaths on the road.
World Albatross Day is coming on the 19th June and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) website has many education resources, quizzes and videos to learn all about these fascinating birds.
There are still a few penguins around including some early birds that are already checking out nest sites for the coming season, so please keep dogs safe and secure at home, and keep an eye out when walking your dogs on the beaches. Thank you.
If you see an injured penguin or any wildlife that seems to be struggling, please call DOC for assistance on the hotline, 0800 DOCHOT (362 468) and do all you can to ensure it is safe from dogs.
Read on for more details and news and huge thanks for all your generous support.
Lucy
Education and Awareness Ranger