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A one-footed little penguin/kororā has become a regular visitor to Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, attracting growing interest from locals during Conservation Week.
The Department of Conservation says the bird has been monitored by staff and wildlife response volunteers, with no immediate concerns about its health.
Healthy despite old injury
Department of Conservation ranger Nikki Grist says the penguin appears to be coping well despite the missing foot.
“Currently the penguin is showing normal behaviours and is moving around well – it has been seen diving and swimming.
“It has good body condition such as a bit of fat on it and healthy-looking feathers, and the missing foot appears to be an older injury. All of this makes us think it’s still capable of hunting and is healthy.”
Nikki says the kororā has occasionally been seen swimming in circles while bathing and preening, which may be linked to the injury.
“We will continue to keep an eye on it, but as it’s currently very agile and appears to be doing OK, we don’t plan to capture it for a further assessment.”
Wildlife close to the city
Nikki says the sighting is a reminder that native wildlife lives surprisingly close to urban Auckland.
“Wild animals do live surprisingly close to people in Auckland. We have penguins that feed and nest all over the Hauraki Gulf and on Auckland’s west coast beaches too.”
Kororā are found throughout Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana, with a small number breeding in the inner harbour and port area.
Public urged to help
DOC says Aucklanders can support little penguins by joining or donating to local conservation groups that monitor birds, build nest boxes and advocate for the species.
Nikki says dog owners should also keep pets on leads at beaches and away from dunes where kororā nest.
“Dogs are one of the main threats for little penguins.”
