Kaikōura Penguins

Our Penguins

New Zealand has more penguin species than any other country in the world and is regarded as a global penguin capital. Little penguins/kororā (threatened Blue penguins and endangered White-flippered penguins) breed in Kaikōura, with a remnant population which as at risk of local extinction. The region is also a foraging destination for Yellow-eyed penguins, Fiordland crested penguins, Snares crested penguins, Erect crested penguins and Rockhopper penguins. Each year many require rescue in relation to human related impacts. 

Moulting Penguins

Penguins undergo a catastrophic moult every year, replacing all of their plumage. Penguins must stay ashore continuously for a three week period to replace feathers during the annual moult. 

In Kaikōura moulting penguins are typically reported later, from February-April. In recent years, penguins have initiated delayed moults (a result of decreased food sources). If you encounter a penguin in an unusual area, looking scruffy during this time of year, it is likely undergoing the moult.

Penguins need to shed all of their feathers simultaneously to grow new ones. During the moult penguins are not waterproof and poorly insulated. During this period they are unable to forage at sea and lose up to half of their body weight. Moulting is physically taxing for penguins, many of which are already in poor body condition during the breeding season, in relation to decreased ocean productivity and prey availability (climate change and overfishing impacts).

Preventative Care

When underweight penguins initiate the moult, they risk starvation to moult completion, resulting in death. Every year, more moulting penguins require supportive care due to challenging foraging conditions. Reported moulting penguins that are found in poor body condition require transfer into captivity to facilitate nutritional support with supplementary feeding to guarantee survival. Preventative care ensures that upon return to the wild, penguins have the physical strength to forage successfully and prepare for the next breeding season, enabling the best possible chance of survival in challenging times. Breeding adults and chicks in poor condition also require ongoing assistance with supplemental feeding and uplifting.

Penguin Habitat & Disturbance

Kaikōura’s remnant Little Penguin population is collapsing and urgently requires increased protection. Few breeding pairs remain in the district and halting loss is critical. Penguins may seek refuge in coastal shrubs, under structures, backyard vegetation, woodpiles, wharves, rocky outcrops, stop bank boulders, and vegetated dunes. Dog predation and human disturbance pose the greatest risks to penguins on land. Please do not seek out vulnerable penguins at fragile sites, these are not a viewing attraction and human disturbance is preventable. Penguins are not an entertainment commodity and viewing is discouraged. Visitors can help give penguins a chance in challenging times by not seeking them out.

Dog & Cat Management

Penguins are vulnerable to dog attacks, particularly during the breeding season and annual moult. Dog attacks pose the greatest risk to penguin survival on land, with roaming dogs causing avoidable penguin injury and mortality. Dogs detect penguin scent easily and must be kept under control in coastal areas. In Kaikōura the Animals Bylaw (2025) prohibits dogs at Point Kean, Kaikōura Peninsula, South Bay Marina, Coastguard, and South Bay Boat Park. At other sites dogs must be leashed year around where stipulated; whilst seasonal dog leashing is required from 1 September - 1 December (refer to Dog control areas).

In residential areas, pet and stray cats pose a threat at breeding sites, particularly to penguin chicks. Containing pet cats indoors from dusk to dawn in coastal areas saves lives. Desexing and microchipping pet cats is mandatory in Kaikōura, whilst  trapping unowned cats is vital to address predation impacts on threatened species.

Emergency Care

Penguins require emergency care regarding trauma injury and illness, e.g. dog attacks, predation events, fisheries bycatch, boat strike, marine entanglements, heat stress, poor body condition, moult related issues or disease. Starvation due to decreased ocean productivity (climate change and overfishing impacts) is the primary cause for patient admittance. Uplifting of starving chicks or late clutches for captive rearing is essential to prevent losses. Starving penguins are immune compromised and susceptible to disease (e.g. respiratory distress) and parasitic diseases (e.g. avian malaria). Annually penguins are a primary patient in care, with the majority in critical condition, requiring life-saving emergency treatment.

How To Help

  • Please report any beach cast penguins immediately, as these will be in critical condition regarding starvation, illness or injury.

    Please contact Project WellBird by completing our contact form, call the DOC Hotline on 0800 362 468; or handover to the nearest vet clinic.

    DOC rangers are able to arrange handover to Project WellBird’s volunteer wildlife rehabilitator for triage and stabilisation.

  • Please report moulting penguins if found unwell or unsafe in a high use area, where there is risk of human disturbance or dog attack.

    Moulting penguins require transfer into temporary care with Project WellBird’s voluntary wildlife rehabilitator, to prevent predation risk and provide supplemental feeding. The majority of moulting penguins are also suffering from starvation, and are reliant on supportive care.

  • If you encounter unwell or beach cast penguins, please report immediately.

    Please contact Project WellBird by completing our contact form, or informing the Department of Conservation via the DOC Hotline on 0800 362 468.

    Alternatively contact the Renwick DOC Office by phoning 03 572 9100, to request transfer to a local Kaikōura DOC ranger. DOC rangers will contact Project WellBird’s voluntary wildlife rehabilitator directly.

    Unwell penguins can be handed in to the nearest vet clinic. VetCare Kaikoura opening hours are Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, Sat 9am-12pm. Patients may be transferred to the South Island Wildlife Hospital for diagnostics and long-term rehabilitation.