Conservation Symposium a huge success
October 15, 2018
Numbers were much greater than expected and the whole event was a huge success.
Conservation Symposium a huge success
Numbers were much greater than expected and the whole event was a huge success.
The West Coast Penguin Trust presented the "Community Conservation Symposium - How, what and why for conservation on the West Coast" on 14-15 June 2018. With 119 participants for the conference day and 65 joining field trips on day two, numbers were much greater than expected and the whole event was a huge success. Our aim was to support community conservation groups and projects in the region by bringing expert speakers to them and facilitating networking with each other and with potential advisors and partners. This was achieved through a very professional and well received event, enabled by a $10k grant from the Lottery Environment & Heritage Fund, plus generous grants, donations and support from DOC and the Sargood Bequest.










The Great Annual Blue Penguin Count is coming!
September 7, 2018
The Great Annual Blue Penguin Count, 10-15 October this year, is fun, hugely useful and a great way to get involved!
The Great Annual Blue Penguin Count is coming!
The Great Annual Blue Penguin Count, 10-15 October this year, is fun, hugely useful and a great way to get involved!
The Great Annual Blue Penguin Count, 10-15 October this year, is fun, hugely useful and a great way to get involved! What could be better than an early morning walk on the beach on a glorious West Coast day! Combine that with discovering whether penguins are using your beach and adding valuable information for the Trust and you're onto a winner! We are encouraging the use of the iNaturalist app, as it's easy, fun and it makes life a whole lot easier for us! Once you've created a logon and got the hang of it, it really is easy. I have to admit it took me a little while, and we learned how to make it easier after the Annual Count last year, so we've ironed out some challenges and we'd love you to take part! All the information you need to get involved is on our webpage here: http://www.bluepenguin.org.nz/blue-penguin-count/ We plan to be out on the beach close to Hokitika and you'd be welcome to join us - more details to follow soon.

Tawaki – marathon penguins
August 30, 2018
We are celebrating with The Tawaki Project the release of a research paper reporting the marathon swims made by Fiordland crested penguins (tawaki) after raising chicks and before returning to moult.
Tawaki – marathon penguins
We are celebrating with The Tawaki Project the release of a research paper reporting the marathon swims made by Fiordland crested penguins (tawaki) after raising chicks and before returning to moult.

Dr Mattern said: “One would think that the birds try to conserve as much energy on this trip as possible. But what we found is, simply put, crazy.”
Study co-author Dr Klemens Pütz, of the Antarctic Research Trust, said it was an incredible achievement for a flightless seabird. “The question is why the penguins leave on such an epic journey, at a time when the ocean productivity along their coastal breeding sites reaches its peak. There should be more than enough food for them just on their doorstep,” Dr Pütz said. The authors believe tawaki make their trek because of instinct rather than necessity.
Penguins are advocates for conservation
June 7, 2018
West Coast Penguin Trust Ranger, Lucy Waller, makes the case for penguins, loving them, conserving them and presenting them to children as a gateway to more conservation conversations.
Penguins are advocates for conservation
West Coast Penguin Trust Ranger, Lucy Waller, makes the case for penguins, loving them, conserving them and presenting them to children as a gateway to more conservation conversations.



A busy year for the Trust
May 31, 2018
Here's our Annual Report to update supporters and sponsors about all the work we do, from penguins to petrels and trapping to tamariki.
A busy year for the Trust
Here's our Annual Report to update supporters and sponsors about all the work we do, from penguins to petrels and trapping to tamariki.
The Trust produces an Annual Report to update supporters and sponsors about all the work we do. From penguins to petrels and trapping to tamariki, in the year to 31st March 2018 we have been busy! Our projects include studies to better understand the ecology of and threats to blue penguins, Fiordland crested penguins and Westland petrels, and we undertake predator control for seabirds. We also have a wide ranging awareness and outreach project, including some excellent education work with an increasing number of schools. Read our annual report here: West Coast Penguin Trust - Annual Report 2018