A yellow-eyed penguin chick that has been euthanised was being tracked as part of research into dramatically declining survival rates of the endangered species. Photo / File
A yellow-eyed penguin chick that has been euthanised was being tracked as part of research into dramatically declining survival rates of the endangered species. Photo / File
A yellow-eyed penguin chick being tracked by University of Otago researchers has been euthanised after suffering a non-survivable injury to its flipper.
Takahara was one of 23 yellow-eyed penguin, or hioho, being tracked as part of research into dramatically declining survival rates of the endangered species.
The chick's trek up the coast of the South Island wowed scientists a fortnight ago, both due to its speed and the distance covered.
The young bird travelled over 470km on its fledgling journey, up the east coast of the South Island, heading from its hatching area around Banks Peninsula and towards Gore Bay.
Department of Conservation volunteer Harry Litchwark found Takahara yesterday at Cape Campbell after a University of Otago researcher contacted the office with concerns recent movements had been scarce.
"The penguin had made some short trips to the east of Cape Campbell over the last 10 days, but there had been very little movement in the last five days," zoology research Mel Young said.
Takaraha has been euthanised after suffering an injury to its flipper, believed to be caused by a predator. Photo / Christine Mackenzie
The penguin was thin and had a severe injury to the upper left flipper.
Despite this, Takahara was described as being "bright and alert".
The Wairau DOC team transported the penguin to the Picton Veterinary Clinic and had a vet X-ray the affected flipper.
In consultation with Dunedin Wildlife Hospital's specialist penguin vet Lisa Argilla, the decision was made to euthanise the bird.
"There is already severe irreparable damage to the (elbow) joint and the bird needs a functional flipper to swim, so it will never be able to do this," Dr Argilla said.
Takahara's satellite tag would be repurposed for research next season .
Of the 23 birds involved in the research, 16 were still transmitting their locations. Three of the devices were offline and another three were failing due to a technical fault.
Young described the incident as an "unfortunate" end to what was an incredible journey.
However, she said it wasn't completely entirely unexpected.
"As more than 80 per cent of yellow-eyed penguin fledglings do not survive the juvenile year."
"The wound has been inflicted by a predator, and we will know more once a post mortem has been completed," Young said.
The project tracking the penguin chicks was part of Young's doctoral research at the University.
The research also looked at the diet, dispersal and foraging ecology of hioho.
Otago zoology researcher Dr Thomas Mattern said the study would provide crucial data to assist in pinpointing the factors leading to early deaths in yellow-eyed penguins.
"Survival rates in the first year of a yellow-eyed penguin's life are very low," Mattern said.
"It is vital to determine where they go during that period in order to do what we can to improve their chances.
