Full House for Penguin Professor and Penguin Doctor

Penguin scientist Professor John Cockrem of Massey University drew a full house at Kimi Ora Eco Resort last week as keynote speaker for the Tasman Bay Blue Penguin Trust’s community talk about little penguins.

“Tasman Bay is acknowledged as significant habitat for little penguins as is neighbouring Golden Bay” says Prof Cockrem. “Encroaching residential development and consequential increase in mammalian threats such as rats, cats and dogs are putting pressure on little penguins’ ability to thrive.  Unless we make changes and learn to live with little penguins, we are at serious risk of them becoming locally extinct.”

Local rehabilitator, Dr Mana Stratton, also spoke about the challenges of having increasing numbers of little penguins coming to her clinic as a result of dog attacks, boat and jet ski strikes as well as climate-related environmental conditions resulting in difficult foraging. “I would rather dog owners put a lead on their dog than deal with the horrendous consequences” says Dr Stratton.

Prof Cockrem consults with local councils by providing penguin management plans for coastal developments.  Last week he was at Port Tarakohe in Golden Bay working with TDC contractors involved in the port’s extension.

John Cockrem, Larry Lumsden, Linda Jenkins, Mana Stratton, Frances Stratton

The official DOC threat classification of little penguins/korora is “at risk, declining”.