Hands on experience with yellow-eyed penguins

Two veterinary students from Massey University, Keira Macfarlane and Liz Nelson, are gaining valuable experience dealing with New Zealand wildlife, which is part of their course.

Between January 15 and 17, 2013, Keira and Liz helped Trust staff David McFarlane and Leith Thomson at Long Point, Cosgrove Creek and adjacent sites. They measured, weighed and fitted transponders to fledging yellow-eyed penguin chicks. From there, Keira and Liz will move to Otago Peninsula to spend another three days on Trust reserves.

Keira must enjoy the work because this was her second visit (the first being in January 2012). She and Liz made a valuable contribution to the conservation of yellow-eyed penguin conservation. The sometimes mucky conditions (see accompanying photographs) didn’t deter them at all!

This is the third year in which vet students have assisted Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust staff, and the Trust looks forward to further Massey students helping out in future seasons.

Leith Thomson, Keira and Liz set up to begin transpondering

Keira weighing a chick

Keira with a chick retrieved from a particularly messy and smelly nest

L to R: Liz Nelson and Keira Macfarlane prepare to attach a transponder to a chick

Related posts:

• Why are yellow-eyed penguins important?
• Badger experience helping penguins at Curio
• Disease causing high mortality in yellow-eyed penguin chicks
• Kentucky helps yellow-eyed penguin
• Anton Oliver new patron of Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust