The breeding biology of the Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor) on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island - Steps towards the conservation of a declining population : Presented to the Faculty of Forest Science and Forest Ecology of the Georg-August University, Gottingen in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of M.Sc. International and Tropical Forestry

Abstract

This study represents the first comprehensive study on the breeding cycle of the Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor) on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island and was conducted during the 2006 breeding season. Anecdotal evidence indicates that there has been a population decline of Blue Penguins on the West Coast, and the main aim of this study was to obtain baseline data to document further population changes and to identify causes of the reported population decline. To achieve this goal, breeding success was determined, and threats to the Blue Penguin in the study area were identified. The timing and length of the breeding season of Blue Penguins on the West Coast was determined to provide guidelines for the timing of future counts and breeding surveys, and provide advice on the timing of effective conservation measures and potentially disruptive human activities.