Hon Chris Carter
Minister of Conservation

8 February 2007 Media Statement

500th Royal Albatross chick at Taiaroa Head named

Conservation Minister Chris Carter today formally named the 500th Royal Albatross chick to hatch at Taiaroa Head/ Pukerua on the Otago Peninsula, the only mainland breeding colony of albatross in the Southern Hemisphere.

The chick's arrival was celebrated at a special event at the colony today, marking some 70 years of work by conservationists.

"Taiaroa Head is an extraordinary and inspirational story," Mr Carter said.

"The colony only exists because of human intervention. Eggs were repeatedly disturbed and smashed by people and predators until1937, when a pioneering conservationist, Lance Richdale, literally camped outside a nest and guarded it until its egg hatched.

"His effort was the start of a work programme that has rebuilt this area in to the most accessible albatross colony in the world, visited by 170,000 people a year.

"Techniques developed at Taiaroa Head are now used on sea bird species worldwide, and the colony very possibly represents the longest running study of a known population of any animal species anywhere, with the exception of humans," Mr Carter said.

"In recognition of the remarkable work done by generations of New Zealanders, I am naming the Taiaroa's 500th chick, Toroa, which is Maori for albatross. Toroa will be the first chick in the colony to be formally named.

"Albatross are spectacular birds but they are at risk in both the words they inhabit, land and sea. Taiaroa Head provides a safe haven and a unique attraction for Dunedin. Congratulations to all involved," Mr Carter said.

ENDS