Chick release at Long Point, Catlins

Throughout the season, yellow-eyed penguin chicks have been uplifted from their habitat by our field team because they were under weight or their parents were injured. The chicks have been looked after by the team at Penguin Place and are now being released back into their habitats in accordance with our permit conditions.

Last week, 4 chicks were soft-released at Long Point in the Catlins and more chicks will be released in the coming weeks. Our field team stay on site with the chicks for up to 5 days, where they hand feed them in the morning, then open the gate of the pen and the chicks are free to head out to sea. These 4 have become 'Facebook famous' after a video of their first dive in to the sea was published on our Facebook page and has received over 2000 views. Check out the video below.