Along the beaches of New Zealand, residents have discovered a large number of dead Korora penguins. The cause is believed to be climate change, which has led to rising sea temperatures, making it difficult for them to hunt for fish, resulting in starvation.
The little blue penguin, also known as Korora, is the smallest penguin species in the world. They are commonly found along the northern beaches of New Zealand, frolicking on the sand dunes at dusk. However, the phenomenon of mass penguin deaths is raising alarms about their extinction status.
Korora is the smallest penguin species in the world. (Photo: NZ Herald)
At Cable Bay in New Zealand, local fisherman Pauline Wilson initially noticed a foul odor. The smell grew stronger, prompting her and several nearby residents to search for its source. They were horrified to find around 100 dead Korora penguins piled near the Department of Conservation (DoC) facility.
Initially, people speculated that the penguins might have gotten caught in fishing nets and washed ashore, where someone had found them and disposed of them in this manner for burial.
In nearby Tokerau Bay, local fishermen also discovered dead little blue penguins along the coastline.
Along Ninety Mile Beach, more than 500 Korora penguin carcasses have been found since early May, with numbers expected to double.
Korora penguins are listed as ‘endangered, declining’ by DoC. (Photo: Twitter/EvolvingCaveman)
Graham Taylor, head of the scientific advisory team at DoC, stated that it is impossible to accurately count the number of dead penguins since many were buried by residents upon discovery.
Earlier this year, scientists tested some of the dead birds for viruses or new diseases. After finding no toxins or disease-causing viruses, they concluded that the penguins had died of starvation.
Climate change is causing sea temperatures to rise above the suitable levels for the small fish that Korora feed on. To find cooler waters, these fish must swim deeper or move to other areas. Meanwhile, Korora can only dive to depths of 20 to 30 meters.
Moreover, all the dead penguins along the beaches were severely underweight, weighing less than the average of 800 grams to 1 kilogram.
“It is likely that the rising sea temperatures have made it difficult for them to find food. They cannot dive to catch fish when they are so weak. Their bodies have no fat to keep them warm. Therefore, the reason for the recent mass deaths of Korora penguins could be starvation or cold,” Graham Taylor explained.
In contrast to northern New Zealand, the Korora population in the southern part of the country is thriving due to the colder waters in that region.
