Latest news with #PhilippaAgnew
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.
Otago Daily Times
23-04-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Bumper penguin season on way for Ōamaru?
Ōamaru hasn't seen blue penguin eggs this early before. Photo: Supplied Birds in the Ōamaru blue penguin colony have begun laying their eggs almost three months early, sparking hope of a bumper season. Colony science and environmental manager Philippa Agnew told Morning Report the colony had never laid eggs in April before and it was very surprising. Little penguins typically began laying eggs between late July and mid-November, spending April and May feeding at sea in preparation for the nesting season. "We expected the season to be early, but this is the first time for our colony - and second recorded for the country - that we have had eggs laid in April," Agnew said. She said when penguins laid early, they could lay a second set of eggs. "Potentially, this is going to be a really productive season, with lots of chicks being fledged from the colony." Agnew said the early egg-laying was also a good indication that the marine environment was healthy. "Egg-laying is very food-driven, so to have eggs this early means we have good food close to the colony. It tells us that things are looking good for the season." The news wasn't all good, with an injured penguin found tangled in fishing-line just before Easter. The bird was found near Holmes Wharf, a popular fishing spot. "The line was wrapped around it so tight that the penguin had lost its leg," Agnew said. "You could also see the penguin was then trying to use its flipper to get on to the rocks, which did damage to the point that the bone was sticking out of its flipper." Agnew said the penguin also likely had a bone inflection. "An injured animal like that can't live a healthy and pain-free life in the wild," she said. "We had to have it euthanised to end its suffering. "It was the only humane thing to do, because it couldn't survive in the wild with only one leg." Agnew said the consequences of discarded fishing gear were a monumental problem for all kinds of marine animals. "The fishing-line obviously wasn't lost on purpose, but the person also probably didn't consider the impacts that could have on the wildlife. "This sort of thing happens more than people realise."
RNZ News
23-04-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Early eggs hopeful sign for bumper blue penguin season in Ōamaru
Ōamaru has never seen blue penguin eggs this early before. Photo: Supplied Birds in the Ōamaru blue penguin colony have begun laying their eggs almost three months early, sparking hope of a bumper season. Colony science and environmental manager Philippa Agnew told Morning Report that the colony had never laid eggs in April before and it was very surprising. Little penguins typically began laying eggs between late July and mid-November, spending April and May feeding at sea in preparation for the nesting season. "We expected the season to be early, but this is the first time for our colony - and second recorded for the country - that we have had eggs laid in April," Agnew said. She said when penguins laid early, they could lay a second set of eggs. "Potentially, this is going to be a really productive season, with lots of chicks being fledged from the colony." Agnew said the early egg laying was also a good indication that the marine environment was healthy. "Egg-laying is very food-driven, so to have eggs this early means we have good food close to the colony. It tells us that things are looking good for the season." The news wasn't all good, with an injured penguin found tangled in fishing-line just before Easter. The bird was found near Holmes Wharf, a popular fishing spot. "The line was wrapped around it so tight that the penguin had lost its leg," Agnew said. "You could also see the penguin was then trying to use its flipper to get onto the rocks, which did damage to the point that the bone was sticking out of its flipper." Agnew said the penguin also likely had a bone inflection. "An injured animal like that can't live a healthy and pain-free life in the wild," she said. "We had to have it euthanised to end its suffering. "It was the only humane thing to do, because it couldn't survive in the wild with only one leg." Agnew said the consequences of discarded fishing gear were a monumental problem for all kinds of marine animals. "The fishing-line obviously wasn't lost on purpose, but the person also probably didn't consider the impacts that could have on the wildlife. "This sort of thing happens more than people realise."
