Page 54 - 2008 NZ Subantarctic Islands

The Yellow-eyed Penguin is considered the rarest penguin in the
world and therefore is a species of great concern to DOC,

especially since he is one of the New Zealand endemic birds. He
has been adopted as the mascot for the penguin conservation

programs for all New Zealand and is also the official bird for the
town of Dunedin. A mysterious disease killed 60% of the chicks
during 2004 and the pathogen has yet to be identified. This

disease did not affect the penguins of Enderby Island directly but
of course it led to the overall decline of the species. Researchers

are continuing their work to determine the cause of the disease.
Besides seeking ways to prevent the recurrence of this disease,

DOC concentrates its efforts at protecting this species through
eradication of predators from its breeding and nesting grounds.

Enderby Island is another of the places that DOC has proclaimed
predator free at present. However, in other areas which the
yellow-eye inhabits on the mainland, this project has no chance of

success since the reserves cannot be maintained predator free—
so the effort is aimed at controlling predation. At present there

are approximately 4000-5000 breeding pairs accounted for by
DOC.

The other wildlife treat on Enderby, at the end of our tiring walk,

was the “gamming” performed for us by 5 Gibson’s albatross. So
what is “gamming” all about? It is a behavior engaged in mostly
by young albatross who are learning to identify potential mates

and to create lasting pair bonds. The adult albatross who are just
beginning to return from their 5-7 years at sea since fledging

swoop about and eye one another. Then two or more may land
and examine each other more closely through patterned and

imitative dancing, sky pointing, calling in their braying voices, soft
bill kisses and bill clicking, and then preening one another. Usually

the birds in a “gam” will not be mature enough to breed but they
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