Latest news with #OamaruBluePenguinColony
Otago Daily Times
28-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Youth council, students get in behind beach cleanup
Oamaru high school pupils and Waitaki Youth councillors pick up rubbish for Matariki. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Waitaki Youth Council rallied together with students from Waitaki Girls' High School, Waitaki Boys' High School, St Kevin's College and passionate community members last week for a successful Matariki Beach Cleanup. "Together, we removed two large bags of rubbish and recycling from the coastline — a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together to care for our place," Waste Free Waitaki spokeswoman Chantal Barnes said. "The day wasn't just about cleaning up — it was also a chance to learn, share, and grow. "Henry and Jasmine, from the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, inspired us with their insights into the Litter Intelligence programme and why data collection is crucial in protecting our marine environments. "After the mahi, participants were treated to a complimentary sausage sizzle — a well-deserved reward thanks to the Waitaki Youth Council. "Special thanks to the Galley Cafe for providing tables and space for our barbecue, Green by Nature for lending us their awesome portable community barbecue, Henry and Jasmine from the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony for sharing their knowledge and of course, every Youth Council member, student, and community volunteer who showed up and made a difference," Ms Barnes said. "Together, we showed that caring for our taiao [environment] is at the heart of the Waitaki Way." — APL
Otago Daily Times
10-05-2025
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Experts share ideas on protecting penguins
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony science and environmental manager Dr Philippa Agnew welcomed 113 attendees to the Oamaru Penguin Symposium last week. PHOTO: NIC DUFF More than 100 passionate penguin experts descended on Oamaru last week for the town's biggest Penguin Symposium. Held over two days, the 14th Oamaru Penguin Symposium attracted 113 people to the Oamaru Opera House. Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony science and environmental manager Dr Philippa Agnew said it was a chance to share ideas and engage in discussions about "how to better protect our penguins". "It's really cool hearing about the different ideas that people have and the projects that they're working on." People had come from all over the country. Guests included scientists, researchers, students and Department of Conservation staff. "It's a really great opportunity for everyone to get together when they don't see each other that often. "I just really look forward to catching up with people that I haven't seen for a while and just building those connections." The event is held every two years and began in the late 1990s. It started as the little penguin symposium and has since evolved to include all species of penguins. "We get the occasional talk that is about non-penguin seabird species." The penguin colony gave a talk on the first day during which staff member Beth Tremlett presented the initial findings from a project they began six months ago. They attached miniature video loggers to the penguins to learn more about what goes on when they are out at sea. "There's lots going on out there that we simply don't know about," Dr Agnew said. "It's really important for us to look at some of those impacts of turbidity and storm events and see what the sediment is doing throughout the season. "It's just another tool that helps us understand more about the penguins' lives." The attendees went to watch the penguin viewing at the penguin colony at the end of the first day. "A lot of them won't have been before. "It's great to share that with them."
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Over 100 gather to discuss penguins
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony science and environmental manager Dr Philippa Agnew welcomed 113 attendees to the Oamaru Penguin Symposium. PHOTO: Oamaru Mail/Otago Daily Times Penguins took centre stage in Oamaru yesterday as the largest-ever Oamaru Penguin Symposium kicked off, drawing 113 experts and enthusiasts from around New Zealand to the Oamaru Opera House. The two-day event, now in its 14th edition, brings together scientists, researchers, students and Department of Conservation staff to share their work and passion for penguins. It began in the late 1990s as a small gathering focused solely on little penguins, but has since grown to include all penguin species — and even the occasional non-penguin seabird topic. Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony science and environmental manager Dr Philippa Agnew said the symposium was about more than just presentations — it was a chance to share ideas and engage in discussions about how to better protect our penguins. "It's really cool hearing about the different ideas that people have and the projects that they're working on." The symposium offers a rare opportunity for people working in the field to connect face-to-face. "I just really look forward to catching up with people that I haven't seen for a while." One highlight came from the penguin colony's staff member Beth Tremlett, who presented early findings from a project launched six months ago. The study involved attaching miniature video loggers to penguins to observe their behaviour at sea — a world that remains largely mysterious. "There's lots going on out there that we simply don't know about," Dr Agnew said. "It's just another tool that helps us understand more about the penguins' lives." She noted the importance of studying environmental impacts such as turbidity and storm events. Such data could help shed light on how seasonal changes affected penguin survival. After a day of talks, attendees were treated to a viewing of the blue penguins returning home at dusk — a first for many. "It's great to share that with them," Dr Agnew said. The symposium continues today with more presentations and opportunities to collaborate on protecting one of the world's most beloved seabirds.
