Penguin Rescue (Katiki Point Penguin Refuge Charitable Trust) Annual Report 2015/16

Transcription

1 Penguin Rescue (Katiki Point Penguin Refuge Charitable Trust) Annual Report 2015/16 Rosalie Goldsworthy, Hiltrun Ratz and Chris Lalas July 2016

2 Contents Overview 3 Monitoring methods 4 Yellow-eyed penguin nest numbers at Moeraki 4 Breeding success 6 Likely predation of chicks by rats 8 A major Diphtheria outbreak among chicks 8 Impact attributable to the presence of tourists at Katiki Point 10 Rehabilitation 11 Trapping for introduced predators and predation of seabirds 13 Habitat work 13 Yellow-eyed penguins at Shag Point 14 Inappropriate behaviour by visitors at Katiki Point 14 Advocacy work 18 Volunteer hours 19 Financials from 1 July 2015 to 30 June Research on other species 21 Plans for the future 23 Acknowledgements 23 Appendices Appendix 1: Plight of the yellow-eyed penguin Otago Daily Times, 19 December 2015 Appendix 2: Talk presented by Hiltrun Ratz at the Oamaru Penguin Symposium, 5 May 2016 Appendix 3: Penguin colony at mercy of visitors Otago Daily Times, 4 June 2016 Appendix 4: Job description for part-time employment for Penguin Rescue by Dr Hiltrun Ratz Appendix 5: Audit for the 2014 calendar year Richard A Burgess & Associates 2

3 Overview The Katiki Point Penguin Rehabilitation Trust was re-named Penguin Rescue in August Our mission is to provide sanctuary for penguins by optimising penguin habitat, maximising penguin survival and breeding success and minimising human disturbance of penguins. Our vision is to create self-sustaining populations of yellow-eyed penguins on the South Island with the goal of removing the species off the IUCN endangered list. This report covers the 12 months from 1 July 2015 to 30 June Yellow-eyed penguin nest numbers at Moeraki decreased by nine to 25 nests at Katiki Point and decreased by four to 21 nests at Okahau Point (aka Barracouta Bay). The total 46 nests at Moeraki represented a 21% annual decrease from the 58 nests in 2014/15. This decrease in nest numbers reflected a decrease throughout South Island. Katiki Point remains the largest yellow-eyed penguin colony on the South Island, and Moeraki now accounts for 92% of nests at North Otago and about 22% of nests on South Island. Overall 55 chicks fledged from the 46 nests at Moeraki (average 1.20 chicks fledged per nest). Moeraki experienced the worst Diphtheria outbreak since 2004: 46% of chicks were treated for symptoms with daily doses of antibiotics for 5 days. Treatment was a success attributable to the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The onslaught of uncontrolled tourism at Katiki Point described in last year s Annual Report continued unabated. Low penguin breeding success was attributed to unintentional human disturbance caused by the proximity of tourists to nests. We were unable to control the activity of tourists to reduce their impact. Instead, we successfully mitigated human disturbance with the erection of a penguin-proof fence that confined nests to further away from tourists. Despite a 26% decrease in nest numbers from 34 to 25 nests, the number of chicks fledged increased 33% from 24 to 32 (respective averages 1.28 and 0.71 chicks fledged per nest). A detrimental outcome was that the area used by yellow-eyed penguins at Katiki Point was reduced by over 40%. A total of 48 yellow-eyed penguins were rehabilitated with an 94% release rate. The total number of admissions was 62 with eight individuals rehabilitated more than once. Habitat work is ongoing to mitigate disturbance by tourists at Katiki Point and to maximise nesting opportunities for penguins at Okahau Point. Moeraki is in drought conditions so we are regularly watering small plants. A consequence of the drought has been a plague of rabbits; rabbits have ringbarked a variety of mature trees and so vulnerable trees have been protected with netting. A total of 21 cats and 12 ferrets were trapped. For the first time in recent years yellow-eyed penguin chicks have been depredated. Predation was suspected in the disappearance of seven young chicks at Okahau Point with rats as the likely culprits. Volunteer hours worked were recorded since 1 January 2016 and totalled the equivalent of 3.1 full-time positions. Penguin Rescue received a total income of $28,000 and had a total expenditure of $19,500 through the 12 months, 1 July 2015 to 30 June We applied for five grants and were successful in three totalling $8,000. Sufficient income was received to employ Dr Hiltrun Ratz part time as a Rare Species Conservation Analyst since 1 January

4 Monitoring methods All nest boxes and natural nest sites were given a number and their GPS coordinates and site habitat were recorded. The two yellow-eyed penguin colonies at Moeraki, Katiki Point and Okahau Point were searched for nests with eggs twice weekly from mid September to mid October 2015 to record all lay dates. All nest contents, and band and/or transponder numbers of breeding adults, were recorded. All adults without a transponder were fitted with one during incubation. From mid October each nest was visited at least twice weekly to monitor attendance by the adults, and to record hatch dates and chick survival. Each nest was monitored every second day for three weeks after the hatching to check the health of chicks. Nests with sick chicks were visited daily and the sick chicks were treated with antibiotics. Chicks were captured, weighed and transpondered when they reached 70 days of age. If they were under 5kg they were transferred to the rehabilitation facility. Chicks were recaptured and weighed at 100 days and head measures were taken for sexing. If they were under 5.5kg or had lost weight since their last weighing, they were transferred to the rehabilitation facility. Rehabilitation records were collated for the year from 1 July 2015 to 30 June From February to June the coastline between Katiki Point and Okahau Point was walked twice weekly to locate injured and/or starving moulting penguins. Several volunteers monitored the 20km coastline from Hampden Beach to Shag Point once or twice weekly to search for penguins that needed rehabilitation. Penguins were visually assessed and where appropriate transferred to the rehabilitation facility. Penguins in rehabilitation were fed salmon smelt. A veterinarian from the Oamaru Veterinary Centre visited regularly to treat and check the progress of penguins in the rehabilitation facility. Traps targeting cats, mustelids (stoats and ferrets) and rats were deployed in both colonies throughout the year. Live traps were checked daily and kill traps were checked weekly. The transponder gate and scales mentioned in last year s Annual Report failed to operate properly. Advice is being sought to make this gear fit for purpose. Results Yellow-eyed penguin nest numbers at Moeraki Nest numbers at Moeraki have shown a long-term increase; in the simplest analysis numbers increased at an average annual rate of 6% from six nests in 1982 to 46 nests in The first comprehensive annual searches of penguin nests in North Otago began in 1984 when 41 nests were found with 17% (7) at Moeraki. This proportion has increased steadily through the years to 2015 when a total of 50 nests were found in North Otago with 92% (46) at Moeraki. Compared to 2014, nest numbers in 2015 at Okahau Point decreased by three to 21 nests, and at Katiki Point decreased by nine to 25 nests. Overall there has been a decrease of 12 nest to 46 nests at Moeraki, a 21% decrease from the 58 nests in the previous breeding season. There were three nesting events of particular interest: One female breeder at Okahau Point had two partners and two nests and she laid one egg in each nest; neither egg hatched Okahau Point had 20 female breeders but 21 nests. There was a nest at Matiaha Head (0.5km north of Okahau Point) for the first time in 22 years Matiaha Head had 2-3 nests annually through the 1980s with last nesting in (The one nest this season was entered into data for Okahau Point.) Breeders very rarely change colonies in an exception this season one Katiki Point female breeder move about 1km north and nested at Okahau Point. 4

5 Graph of yellow-eyed penguin nests at Okahau Point and Katiki Point from 1982 to Graph of yellow-eyed penguin nests at Moeraki as a proportion of all North Otago nests from 1984 (the first year when all nests were counted) to

6 Number of nests At Katiki Point in the 2015/16 season 22 yellow-eyed penguin breeding pairs nested in the Wildlife Management Reserve and three pairs nested in the Historic Reserve. After the high disturbance of uncontrolled tourists at Katiki Point in the 2014/15 season when no chicks fledged naturally from the Historic Reserve (reported in the Penguin Rescue Annual Report 2014/15), we installed a penguin-proof fence following the advice of David Agnew, Department of Conservation (DOC) Dunedin. This fence prevented three breeding pairs from crossing the tourist path to reach their 2014/15 nest sites. Two breeding pairs subsequently moved and nested in the Wildlife Reserve, three remained and nested on the Historic Reserve and one or both adults of the remaining pairs have not been recorded again and are presumed dead. The graph below shows that installation of the penguin-proof fence reversed the trend of increase in nest numbers in the Historic Reserve through recent years Calendar year (start of breeding season) Number of yellow-eyed penguin nests in the Katiki Point Historic Reserve, 2009 to Breeding success The fertility at both colonies was 86%. Chick survival was 74% at Katiki Point resulting in an average 1.28 chicks fledged per nest. Chick survival was 68% at Okahau Point resulting in an average of 1.10 chicks fledged per nest. Overall 55 chicks fledged from the 46 nests at Moeraki (average 1.20 chicks fledged per nest), similar to the 57 chicks fledged from the 58 nests at Moeraki (average 0.98 chicks fledged per nest) in the 2014/15 season, despite a 21% decrease in nest numbers. 6

7 Yellow-eyed penguin nests and penguin-proof fence at Katiki Point in the 2015/16 breeding season (image from Google Earth). Total 25 nests: 22 in Katiki Point Wildlife Management Reserve (green dots) and three in Katiki Point Historic Reserve (yellow dots). Areas presented below are approximate and were calculated from this Google Earth image. The penguin-proof exclusion fence installed in July 2015 is shown in red. The exclusion fence reduced the area available for penguins within the 2.8 ha Wildlife Management Reserve by 0.6 ha, a 21% reduction. The area previously used by penguins within the Historic Reserve totalled 2.0 ha and is shown in purple. The exclusion fence reduced the area available for penguins within the Historic Reserve by 1.5 ha, a 75% reduction. Overall the available area used by penguins at Katiki Point was reduced by 44%. (The exception was the most southern nest: here penguins skirted the south end of the fence.) 7

8 Table summarising the breeding success of yellow-eyed penguins at Katiki Point and Okahau Point in the 2015/16 season. Katiki Point Okahau Point Moeraki total Number of nests Number of eggs laid Number of eggs hatched Total number of chicks fledged Number of chicks fledged naturally Number of rehabilitated chicks fledged Fertility (no. eggs hatched/no. eggs laid) 86% 85% 86% Chick survival (no. chicks fledged/no. eggs hatched) 74% 68% 71% Egg success (no. chicks fledged/no eggs laid) 64% 58% 61% Average chicks fledged per nest (no. chicks fledged/no. nests) Likely predation of chicks by rats Chick survival was lower at Okahau Point because seven of 34 (21%) chicks disappeared less than 2-weeks old. This was the first case of loss of chicks attributable to predation in recent years. Additional traps were deployed and after a rat was caught the disappearances stopped. The stomach of this trapped rat contained fish flesh (presumably from a spill of penguin food during chick feeding by parents) but no penguin remains. One chick whose sibling disappeared showed substantial damage on its feet (see photos below) that could have been caused by a rat. We deployed a trail camera at this nest for one week and recorded visits by a rat into the nest no other predators were recorded. This chick survived but showed scarring on the feet when last seen at 3-months old. A major Diphtheria outbreak among chicks The 2015/16 season had one of the worst recorded outbreaks of Diphtheria in young chicks at Moeraki. Veterinarian Katherine Johnson from Oamaru Veterinary Centre diagnosed the first chicks with Diphtheria at Katiki Point on 8 November Each chick found subsequently with symptoms was treated daily with Baytril for a minimum of five days. The chicks were all weighed aged 70 days and those that had been treated with Baytril for Diphtheria and survived were on average 100g heavier than those that had not been sick. This showed that they not only fully recovered but also thrived later. 8

9 Three photographs of a chick aged 24 days showing 2-day old bite damage on its feet. Left: damage on the outside toe of the right foot. Below: two views of damage on the outside toe of the left foot The feet of the same chick as a 3-month old. The scars caused by the bites are clearly visible. The rat caught on camera in the nest 19 November 2015 (left) and a rat caught nearby in a Timms trap 25 November 2015 (right). 9

10 Summary of the occurrence and survival of chicks with Diphtheria; where treated are chicks that showed symptoms of Diphtheria and untreated are chicks that did not show symptoms of Diphtheria. *This analysis excludes the seven chick deaths attributed to predation at Okahau Point. Katiki Point Okahau Point Moeraki total Number of chicks hatched 43 27* 70* Number of chicks treated 21 (49%) 11 (41%) 32 (46%) Number of chicks untreated 22 (51%) 16 (59%) 38 (54%) Survival of treated chicks 17 (81%) 8 (73%) 25 (78%) Survival of untreated chicks 15 (68%) 15 (94%) 30 (79%) Average weight at 70 days (kg) treated Average weight at 70 days (kg) untreated Impact attributable to the presence of tourists at Katiki Point There is no visitor count for the last 12 months but our impression is that the number of visitors has increased since the 40,000 50,000 visitors through the 2014/15 year. DOC intended to install a people counter in November 2015 but this has not happened yet. In the 2014/15 season 49% more chicks died at less than 2 weeks old for nests up to 10m from tourist paths compared with nests more than 10m from tourists paths (see 2015 Annual Report). In winter 2015 we installed a penguin-proof internal fence about 20m from the external fence of the Wildlife Management Reserve and along the fence on the Historic Reserve to prevent penguins from nesting close to paths used by tourists. This season only three pairs bred within 10m of the external fence within the Wildlife Management Reserve and raised a total of five chicks successfully. The new penguin-proof fence prevented all but one pair from crossing paths used by tourists on the Historic Reserve. This pair bred on the pa, and after one egg disappeared from the nest (possibly stolen), the other egg was fostered to a pair at Okahau. Two other pairs nested on the Historic Reserve 9m and 7m from the paths used by tourists and they raised one and two chicks respectively to a healthy weight (>5kg) at 70 days old. The three chicks from nests close to the tourist paths each subsequently lost weight ( g) and had to be brought into rehabilitation. Following official coercion, on 20 January 2016 Rosalie stopped asking tourists to leave after the sign-posted 7:30pm closing time and tourists began staying later. It is our view that the late presence of tourists near these nest sites caused the decrease in weight and would have decreased their post-fledging survival chance significantly. 10

11 Rehabilitation For the 2015/16 season the soft-release pens were moved from Katiki Point to Okahau Point. Overall 14 chicks were brought into the rehabilitation facility from the two Moeraki colonies (see table for breeding success); one died and 13 were released. In addition, one chick was brought into the rehabilitation facility from Shag Point and released. We had a total of 62 yellow-eyed penguin admissions into the rehabilitation facility in the 2015/16 season. One adult, two pre-fledging chicks and five post-fledging chicks were admitted more than once resulting in a total of 48 individuals. Five individuals of other species were also rehabilitated. All penguins were released at Okahau Point except Katiki Point yellow-eyed penguin breeders. An overall 94% release rate for individual Yellow-eyed penguins was achieved. The average number of days Yellow-eyed penguins spent in rehabilitation was 21 days (range 4-63 days) including the time spent in the soft-release pens. The average number of days yellow-eyed penguins spent in the rehabilitation facility was 28 days in 2013/14 and 18 days in the 2014/15 season. Table summarising all penguins admissions to the Katiki Point rehabilitation facility in the 2015/16 season. Pre-fledging chicks fledged following rehabilitation: their total number of admissions included birds that were re-admitted after fledging. Post-fledging chicks (juveniles <1-year old) fledged naturally. Total number of individuals Total number of admissions Total dead Release rate of individuals Yellow-eyed penguin Adults % Juveniles (1-year old) % Pre-fledging chicks % Post-fledging chicks % Total % Other species Snares crested penguin % Little penguin % White-flippered penguin % Total % 11

12 Only one juvenile (1-year old) yellow-eyed penguin was admitted to hospital this season. It was one of only three juveniles resident at Moeraki, and all had been rehabilitated in the 2014/15 season and had been released in July Overall a 6% mortality rate during rehabilitation of yellow-eyed penguins in this season was the lowest in three years. Starvation, injury and sickness were the reasons penguins were admitted to be rehabilitated. This season only seven adults were rehabilitated as underweight for the annual moult, and the other nine had injuries. All but one pre-fledging chicks were starving and ten had inflamed throats. One chick was removed from Shag Point after its sibling was found freshly dead, most likely killed by dogs. Nine of the rehabilitated postfledging chicks had injuries, and the other seven were underweight. The juvenile admitted to the rehabilitation facility was too thin for the moult. Rehabilitated breeders from Katiki Point or Okahau Point were hard-released at their colony of origin. All other rehabilitated penguins were soft-released at Okahau Point. A total of seven individual post-fledging chicks were soft-released at Okahau Point and were re-captured for rehabilitation nine times there, two were re-captured at Katiki Point and one in Oamaru. The strategy of soft-release appears to have imprinted most penguins onto Okahau Point because three-quarters of recaptures occurred there. This behaviour could contribute to a higher survival rate and recruitment resulting in more penguins breeding in the future. Table detailing the total number of chicks that were fledged naturally and rehabilitated and fledged in the 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons; and individual penguins and number of admissions of chicks that were rehabilitated post-fledging. 2013/ / /15 Number of chicks that fledged naturally 26 (44%) 35 (63%) 42 (76%) that fledged from rehabilitation 33 (56%) 21 (37%) 13 (24%) Rehabilitated after fledging naturally (2/26 = 8%) (3/35 = 9%) (8/42 = 9%) fledging from rehabilitation (1/33 = 3%) (4/21 = 19%) (2/13 = 15%) Of the 47 admissions of adults, juveniles and post-fledging chicks, 38 (81%) were collected within the breeding colonies at Katiki Point and Okahau Point. The other 9 (19%) penguins were collected elsewhere in North Otago along the 50km stretch of coast from Waianakarua to Karitane. This indicated that many penguins in need of rehabilitation come ashore outside breeding areas. This makes it imperative that much of the coast outside breeding areas needs to be monitored for penguins that may require rehabilitation. As a requirement of our Rehabilitation Permit, a list of monthly admitted and released penguins were submitted to DOC Dunedin and DOC Permissions Hamilton. We made a simple assessment of the minimum effect of rehabilitation on population size. At Katiki Point 10 of 25 female breeders (40%) are alive because they have been rehabilitated in the past: without rehabilitation there would have been a maximum of 15 instead of 25 nests. 12

13 Respective results for Okahau Point were two of 20 female breeders (10%) with a maximum of 19 instead of 21 nests. The outcome for Moeraki without rehabilitation would have been a maximum 34 nests, 26% less than the actual 46 nests. Trapping for introduced predators and predation of seabirds Despite intensive trapping, seven yellow-eyed penguin chicks < 2 weeks old went missing at Okahau Point this season. More traps were deployed and chicks stopped disappearing after a rat was caught (see above). No yellow-eyed penguin chicks disappeared at Katiki Point. One Sooty Shearwater and one diving petrel were found dead at Katiki Point. Kill traps at Katiki Point were monitored by Nola Tipa (Te Runanga o Moeraki). Phil Bates donated seven DOC 250 traps in boxes and two cage traps in June 2016 and provided assistance with his expertise. One cat was shot by Joe Taurima on 24 November 2015 in addition to 14 cats trapped and killed at Katiki Point and seven at Okahau Point. Table summarising trapping result of introduced mammals at Katiki Point and Okahau Point from 1 July to 30 June in 2014/15 and 2015/16. Katiki Point Okahau Point 2014/ / / /16 Cats Ferrets Stoats Rats Possums Habitat work The extensive vegetation maintenance started in winter 2014 has been continued with emergent faster-growing trees pruned to free up overgrown neighbouring slower-growing trees. A concerted effort has begun to eradicate boxthorn, an invasive introduced species that hinders penguin movement and its thorns have been found as splinters in penguin feet and flippers. A total of 74 nest boxes were available for penguins at Katiki Point, 84 at Okahau Point and five in the area between Katiki Point and Okahau Point colonies for the 2015/16 season. We continued to create new nest sites within the forested areas with stockades of cut branches for concealment. Outside the forested areas nest sites were created by planting trees around new nest boxes, with plants protected either with plastic sleaves or with circles made of fencing material and shade cloth. We mowed grassy open areas on coastal slopes to create open spaces for the penguins to socialise. We also cleared any rank grass that blocked access to nest sites. Reducing the area with rank grass also decreases the favoured habitat for introduced predators because stoats, ferrets and cats are attracted to rank grass for shelter and food (rodents, rabbits and passerine birds). The local farmer Doug Stalker has kindly made about 16 sheep available for grazing 13

14 around Okahau Point. Our aim is to maintain open areas in short grass throughout the year on grassy slopes and promontories used by penguins. North Otago, including Moeraki, has been in drought conditions for two years. At Okahau Point we have expanded our watering system (tanks and hoses) and are watering young plants fortnightly. A consequence of the drought has been a plague of rabbits. Rabbits have ringbarked a variety of mature trees, including all five-finger and kowhai and cabbage trees, and we have mitigated damaged by circling vulnerable trees with rabbit mesh. By the end of June 2016 no trees had been planted because the ground was too dry. We plan to plant about 120 trees around new nest sites in the grazed pasture and ground cover with ferns and 80 astelias within the forest later this winter. Joe Taurima reported shooting 103 rabbits over four visits to Katiki Point Historic Reserve between 24 November 2015 and 7 February Yellow-eyed penguins at Shag Point There was one yellow-eyed penguin nest again at Shag Point, with number of adults living there totalling only this pair and one solitary male. On 9 February 2016 one of the two chicks was found dead with what appeared to be dog bite marks. For its own safety the other chick was moved to the rehabilitation facility at Katiki Point. On 5 March 2016 an adult was found dead with what appeared to be dog bite marks. On 6 March 2016 a pair of moulting adults found nearby were removed for their own safety and released at Okahau Point. The male of that pair was subsequently found dead at Shag Point in good condition and with no apparent injuries. Consequently, of the three adults that lived at Shag Point, two have died recently. The fate of the remaining female remains unknown. Inappropriate behaviour by visitors at Katiki Point Tourists continue to visit Katiki Point in large numbers. No count of the number of tourists visiting Katiki Point is available because no people counter was installed despite being promised by DOC in October Rosalie ceased enforcing the 7:30 pm summer closing on 20 January Subsequently tourists were present in the colony most evenings until 10 pm, some arriving and leaving in complete darkness. A camera set to photograph the public carpark at one minute intervals for 12 days, 1-12 February 2016, showed that the departure time of the last vehicle departed averaged 9:17 pm, range 7:59-10:54 pm. On 2 April 2016 we removed the two large signs that displayed opening and closing times. Tourists continue to trespass by climbing fences. Rocks were also found 30m inside the colony from the path and must have been thrown there by tourists. People continue to be noisy and harass seals, shags and penguins. 14

15 A trail camera placed near the neck at Katiki Point captured people accessing the beach after climbing the perimeter fence, as shown in the following four photographs. 31 January February May May 2016 March 2016: a child is left unattended on the rocks at Katiki Point while an adult is diving 15

16 April 2016: a person walking the foreshore abutting the Katiki Point Wildlife Management Reserve. A dozen rocks were found scattered over an open area used by penguins in the Wildlife Management Reserve, about 30m from the path used by tourists. (These rocks were grouped for the photo.) A tourist taunts a NZ fur seal at Katiki Point for a photo, 5 July 2015 This group of visitors climbed over the perimeter fence to access this area with NZ fur seals. 16

17 On 24 October 2015, the Penguin Rescue donation box at the front gate at Katiki Point was vandalised and the money inside stolen. Left: the back of the donation box was broken open; Right: the front of the donation box. There have been two incidences where people have brought dogs into the Katiki Point Historic Reserve. Both were documented and referred to the Waitaki District Council. Spearfishers with a dog returning from the Historic Reserve to the carpark on 27 February 2016 A visitor with her dog on a lead near the pa on Katiki Point, 19 March There have been at least three occasions since 4 May 16 when visitors have flown drones over the reserves, lighthouse and lighthouse keeper s house at Katiki Point. There appears to be no guidelines as to what is allowed by DOC. It is illegal to fly drones are over private property without the consent of the land owner. 17

18 Advocacy work The Yellow-eyed Penguin Stock-Take Report Team visited Katiki Point on 20 July 2015 for a meeting with Rosalie, Chris and Hiltrun, and their report was published on 7 June Hiltrun presented the Penguin Rescue 2015 Annual Report at the Yellow-eyed Penguin Symposium on 1 August Penguin Rescue participated in two hui with Te Runanga o Moeraki, Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and DOC Dunedin, on 6 November 2015 and 7 March 2016 to discuss the management and future of Katiki Point. Monthly reports of our activities were provided from December 2015 to June Discussions have concentrated on enhancing the visitor experience and deviating visitors away from the edge of the DOC reserve and but no changes have been implemented. To date there has been no consideration of the conservation management of yellow-eyed penguins and other wildlife. Labour Party MPs Ruth Dyson and David Clark visited Katiki Point with an Otago Daily Times (ODT) reporter on 4 December 15. Our message was that yellow-eyed penguins are in danger of extinction on the South Island and that more resources are needed to prevent it. An article about the visit entitled Plight of the yellow-eyed penguin appeared in the ODT on 19 December 2015 (see Appendix 1). Rosalie gave a talk to the North Otago Vintage Car Club in December 2015 about yelloweyed penguin conservation at Moeraki. Gemma Bell, an Honours student at the Zoology Department, University of Otago, visited with her supervisors Yolanda van Heezik and Phil Seddon in mid October 2015 to discuss her thesis at Katiki Point entitled Impacts of human disturbance on nest placement in yelloweyed penguins. Gemma collected data from 4 to 10 November 2015 at Katiki Point. Julia Reid from Penguin Place visited in early December 2015 to consult about treatment of Diphtheria. Rosalie gave a talk to the Oamaru Red Cross on 21 December 2015 about yellow-eyed penguin conservation at Moeraki. Lucy Dickie, a Masters student in Science Communication, University of Otago visited Katiki Point on 17 December 2015 and 30 March A group from Pencarrow Primary School visited Katiki Point on 11 February 2016 and were shown around by Rosalie. A group of Masters students from the Tourism Department, University of Otago, visited Katiki Point on 17 March 2016 and were shown around by Rosalie. Trudy Webster, marine scientist from the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, visited 1 April Rosalie gave a talk to the Wainakarua Lions Club on 6 April 2016 about the yellow-eyed penguin conservation at Moeraki. 18

19 Rosalie gave a talk to the Hampden Community Energy Society Inc. on 26 April 2016 to ask for funding to buy predator traps. Rosalie and Hiltrun attended the Oamaru Penguin Symposium on 5-6 May 2016 and Hiltrun gave a presentation entitled A paucity of females predicting a continued decline in yelloweyed penguins (see Appendix 2). Rosalie spoke at the Waitaki Council Freedom Camping consultation meeting on 9 May 2016 to raise awareness of freedom camping at Katiki Point. Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Professor Emeritus of Ecology at Lincoln University and trustee of the West Coast Penguin Trust visited Katiki Point with two other Trustees on 21 May 2016 to consult about penguin management and rehabilitation. Rosalie attended a one-day workshop of the National Oiled Wildlife Response Team at Massey University, Palmerston North on 20 May Rosalie attended the Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of New Zealand Annual Conference on May 2016 at Massey University, Palmerston North. In May 2014 a Facebook page for Penguin Rescue was started with regular photos and updates about the penguins at Moeraki and at the end of June 2016 had 490 likes. Three articles were also published in the Hamraki Rag to alert locals to stranded penguins and asking them to contact Penguin Rescue if a penguin was found. On 25 May 2016 a Forest and Bird discussion document entitled Reversing the penguin decline in New Zealand was received and we commented on the yellow-eyed penguin chapter. Rosalie was interviewed in an article about Katiki Point entitled Penguin colony at mercy of visitors that appeared in the ODT on 4 June 2016 (see Appendix 3). Volunteer hours We recorded the volunteer hours worked for the six months from 1 January to 30 June A total of 2849 volunteer hours were contributed (primarily by Rosalie, Chris and Hiltrun), the equivalent of 3.1 full-time positions (2849 hours / 0.5 year / 46 weeks / 40 hours per week). Financials from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 Penguin Rescue received a total income of $27,990 through the 12 months. A total of $6,935 was received in the Penguin Rescue donation box at Katiki Point. for 50,000 visitors donations would have equated to an average of 14 cents per person. Donations through the Penguin Rescue PayPal account totalled $3,066. This included sponsorships received through the Penguin Rescue website for five chicks ($50 each), one adult ($150 each) and one juvenile ($150 each); 11 nest boxes were sponsored ($50 each) and 19

20 had the name of their sponsors written on them; three transponders were purchased and two sponsors contributed towards buying food for the penguins in the rehabilitation facility. Through the last 12 months we began applying for grants to fund conservation projects. Three grant applications were successful: Birds NZ Project Assistance Fund (see Appendix 1) 7 trail cameras $ 1,940 Speight s Community Fund 12 nest boxes and enclosures $ 4,440 Hampden Community Energy Society Inc. traps $ 1,590 Total three grants $ 7,970 Applications to the Lottery Environment & Heritage Fund and Fonterra Grass Roots Fund were unsuccessful. An Expression of Interest Form for the 2015/16 Department of Conservation Community Fund was lodged on 28 June 2016 for three years of funding to publish the outcomes of longterm research by Penguin Rescue on wildlife at Moeraki. Sufficient income was received to employ Dr Hiltrun Ratz part time as a Rare Species Conservation Analyst beginning on 1 January 2016, with salary totalling $5,000 to the end of June 2016 (see Appendix 4). Expenditure on goods and services (excluding bank transaction fees) totalled $14,513. The main categories of expenditure are listed below. Rehabilitation remains the biggest expense but this was much cheaper than expected because New Zealand King Salmon kindly provided salmon at a 60-70% reduction. The main categories of expenditure for the 12 months from 1 July 2015 to 30 June Expenses: Rehabilitation $3, Monitoring and research $3, Plants $3, Pest control $1, Vehicle logistics $1, Fencing and maintenance $ Nest boxes $ Total for the 7 main categories $13, Rehabilitation: vet visits and drugs, fish, release pens. Monitoring and research: stationery, batteries for transponder gate. Plants: plants, potting mix, planter bags and buckets, trays, watering cans, screening and protection, plumbing for watering plants. Pest control: new traps, bait. Vehicle logistics: travel cost for Chris and Hiltrun. Fencing and maintenance: penguinproof fence; maintenance of power tools, post hole borer. Nest boxes: 4 new wooden boxes and nest enclosures on grazed land. Financial accounts for the 2014 calendar year were audited on 7 October 2015 by Richard A Burgess & Associates (see Appendix 5). Auditing of accounts for the 2015 calendar year is under way. 20

21 Research on other species In addition to yellow-eyed penguins, we continued to monitor fur seals and seabirds on the Moeraki peninsula here we present four highlights. New Zealand falcon We saw New Zealand falcon on three days at Okahau Point (11 May, 20 May and 4 June 2016). To our knowledge these are the first records for a New Zealand falcon at Moeraki. Burrowing seabirds at Katiki Point The article below describing the start of our trail camera surveillance of burrows is from page 10 in Birds New Zealand Number 10 (June 2016). 21

22 National census of red-billed gulls Red-billed gulls have been classified as a threatened species because their numbers have declined nationally. In contrast, Otago has bucked this trend and shown a regional increase (Perriman & Lalas 2012: Recent increase in population size of red-billed gulls (Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus) at Otago, southern New Zealand; Notornis 59: ). We participated in the Birds New Zealand National Red-billed Gull Survey, Katiki Point with 535 nests was the second-largest colony in Otago and the ninth-largest in New Zealand. The main part of the red-billed gull colony at Katiki Point, 7 December The gulls thrive at Katiki Point only because we have fenced their colony to minimise the likelihood of human disturbance and we set traps in the nearby DOC reserve to reduce the numbers of ground predators. Mortality event hits New Zealand fur seal pups We have monitored pup numbers annually for most years since breeding by fur seals at Moeraki began in 1988/89 in the bay south of Matiaha Head, midway along the peninsula. Subsequently breeding has spread along 3.0 km of shoreline from Tawhiroko Point (first pups in 2002/03) south to the tip of Katiki Point (first pups in 1997/98). There were about 530 pups born on the Moeraki peninsula in 2014/15. A high mortality of fur seal pups was reported at Otago through August and September We monitored the fate of Moeraki pups as part of a collaboration with Laura Boren (Science Advisor Marine Species and Threats Team, DOC Wellington) and Jim Fyfe (Biodiversity Ranger, DOC Dunedin). Analysis is underway; initial results indicate that about half the Moeraki pups died. The number of pups born on the Moeraki peninsula in 2015/16 dropped by about 20% to about 420. This indicates that the mortality event in 2015 affected not only pups but also breeding females. Thin fur seal pup near death Fat healthy fur seal pup 22

23 Plans for the future Funding for 12 new nest sites including trees was obtained from the Speight s Community Fund and work will continue over winter to complete them. Yellow-eyed penguin breeding and survival will be monitored. Other species including NZ fur seals, spotted shags and red-billed gulls will be monitored. Penguin Rescue will be participating in the second stage of the Yellow-eyed Penguin Stock- Take Project. Penguin Rescue will be presenting three talks at the Annual Penguin Symposium on 6 August Penguin Rescue will be participating in the IUCN review for yellow-eyed penguins coordinated by Phil Seddon, Zoology Department, University of Otago. Acknowledgements In addition to people already mentioned, thanks also to volunteers who helped out at Katiki Point; particularly Tom McTavish and Tobi Hartfiel who donated much time and energy. We thank Andreas and Belinda van der Zande for their interest and support. We also thank Doug and Robyn Stalker for grazing their sheep at Okahau Point and for their interest and support. They also gave permission for us to advertise with our logo and website on their hay bales along the road by the woolshed. Thanks to Richard Burgess for auditing the Penguin Rescue accounts pro bono. For the locals who watched over their beaches and called with news about penguins in trouble you have saved many penguins this season thank you. Dr Chris Lalas thanks Sanford Ltd for funding travel between Dunedin and Moeraki from July 2015 to March Special thanks also go to New Zealand Salmon King for providing salmon at cost this season; Wayne Croft from Northline Distributors for delivering the salmon to the Lighthouse at no extra cost; The Waitaki Resource Recovery Trust for kindly donating two 1000 litre plastic tanks that will be used for our watering needs at Okahau Point; Oamaru Veterinary Centre for pro bono checking and treating penguins in rehabilitation (charges restricted to costs of drugs and transport); and Phil Bates for donating seven traps. There have been some generous donations this season from many people. Without these it would be difficult to feed all these mouths in the rehabilitation facility and to buy the materials for nest boxes and habitat development - thank you all. In particular: Donations of $500 Moeraki Boulders Holiday Park $2000 Ron & Isabel Ross Ogden, Lighthouse Hills Farms $1000 Mr Brooks $1000 Eberhard Ratz $ Nature Tours $ 900 Sylvia Allan $ 500 Murray and Bronwyn Judge $ 500 QEII Trust $ 500 Kokonga Ltd $

24 Appendix 1

25 Appendix 2 Talk presented by Hiltrun Ratz at the Oamaru Penguin Symposium on 5 May 2016 A paucity of females predicting a continued decline in yellow-eyed penguins Abstract Yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) are listed in the IUCN Red List as endangered and their numbers have declined in the three key mainland breeding sites through the last four years: Moeraki (North Otago), Boulder Beach (Otago Peninsula) and Long Point (Catlins). We compared the demography of resident yellow-eyed penguins at Moeraki in 2015/16 with that presented from 10 consecutive years of data by L. E. Richdale in A population study of penguins (1957). The key demographic outcomes of a declining population size are the proportion of the population breeding increases as recruitment decreases, and the proportion of females decreases due to a sex-bias in survival. Breeders represented 71% of the resident population at Moeraki compared with 61% reported by Richdale. Females available for recruitment accounted for 5% of the population at Moeraki, less than half the 11% reported by Richdale. Without a more substantial reservoir of females available for recruitment there will be no fast recovery of the population. Application of average values for survival and recruitment predicts a 2% annual increase in nest numbers from the demography generated by Richdale but a 9% annual decrease from the recent demography at Moeraki. We also predict a decrease in breeding success due to increasing interference by surplus males. These predictions are possible only because the Moeraki population is marked and is closely monitored throughout the breeding season and subsequent moult. Table showing the composition of the resident population of yellow-eyed penguins at Moeraki in the 2015/16 breeding season. *Proportion = proportion of the total population of 129 penguins. (One female breeder had two partners, hence the disparity in numbers of adult breeders.) Category Females Males Total *Proportion Adult breeders % Adult non-breeders % Juveniles (1-2 years old) % Total *Proportion 40% 60%

26

27 Appendix 4 Job description for part-time employment for Penguin Rescue by Dr Hiltrun Ratz Job title Employer Reports to Key relationships Role purpose Salary Key responsibilities Data analysis Marking individual YEPs Photography Public relations Funding Reporting Compliance with DOC Rare Species Conservation Analyst Penguin Rescue Penguin Rescue manager Penguin Rescue team and Department of Conservation (DOC) To provide information to make the best decisions for the welfare of yellow-eyed penguins (YEPs) managed by Penguin Rescue at Moeraki and to comply with the requirements of DOC permits $10,000 per annum; part-time employment (0.1 position) Deliverables / Outcomes Analyse the data collected by Penguin Rescue during yearround monitoring of YEPs at Moeraki to document outcomes for their survival and breeding success. This scientific knowledge is applied to meet conservation challenges and guide the management of this endangered species. Implant YEPs with transponders for individual identification and measure for sexing. This information is recorded and analysed as a key component of population monitoring. Take photographs to depict the condition, behaviour and habitat of YEPs. These are used to inform veterinarians, and illustrate reports, conference presentations and the Penguin Rescue Facebook page and website. Represent Penguin Rescue within the scientific community through presentations at meetings and conferences. Maintain the Penguin Rescue Facebook page and website to inform and update the public about its work. Issue certificates are to sponsorship donors. Assist the manager in securing funding to progress conservation work undertaken by Penguin Rescue. Present results and images to record activities for the Penguin Rescue Annual Report. Fulfil the reporting requirements of all DOC permits.

28 KATIKI POINT PENGUIN REFUGE CHARITABLE TRUST INDEX FOR THE TWELVE MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2014 Page: Directory 1 Statement of Financial Performance 2 Statement of Movements in Equity 3 Statement of Financial Position

29 KATIKI POINT PENGUIN REFUGE CHARITABLE TRUST DIRECTORY AS AT 30 JUNE 2014 Nature of Business Address Registered Office Trustees Penguin Rescue & Recording Moeraki Lighthouse R D 2, Palmerston 9061 Moeraki Lighthouse R D 2, Palmerston 9061 Walter Kiener - Chair Theresa Kiener Christopher Lalas Hiltrun Ratz Sue Robb Daniel Bidwell Wayne Turner Elaine Burgess Rosalie Goldsworthy - Manager Accountants & Auditors Bankers Tax Status GST Richard A Burgess & Associates Ltd KiwiBank Limited Charitable Entity Not Registered

30 KATIKI POINT PENGUIN REFUGE CHARITABLE TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE TWELVE MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31ST DECEMBER $ $ Income Charitable Donations 18,433 16,300 Interest Received - Gross ,812 16,625 Penguin Activities Capital Items Fish 10,919 1,898 Ear Tags Electronic Aids 5, Housing & Boxes Predator Expenses Veterinary Expenses 1, ,112 3,230 Property Activities Fencing Hardware 1, Lawns & Hedges Maintenance People Management Plant & Plant Protection 1,631 - Plumbing Signs Timber 118-6,562 1,220 Administration Accountancy - - Audit - - Computer Expenses Conference & Training General Expenses 51 - Travel Expenses Surplus ($8,445) $12,057

31 KATIKI POINT PENGUIN REFUGE CHARITABLE TRUST STATEMENT OF MOVEMENTS IN EQUITY FOR THE TWELVE MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31ST DECEMBER , $ $ Equity at start of the period 29,434 16,577 Net Surplus for the Year -8,445 12,057 Total Equity at the end of the period 20,989 29,434

32 KATIKI POINT PENGUIN REFUGE CHARITABLE TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 DECEMBER $ $ EQUITY Trust Equity 20,989 29,034 Total Trust Equity $20,989 $29,034 REPRESENTED BY: CURRENT ASSETS Bank 27,522 29,434 Accounts Receivable - - Total Current Assets 27,522 29,434 LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts Payable 6, Total Current Liabilities 6, WORKING CAPITAL 20,989 29,034 NET ASSETS $20,989 $29,034 For and on behalf of the Trust R. M. Goldsworthy Dated 07 / 10 / 15 Trustee

33 KATIKI POINT PENGUIN REFUGE CHARITABLE TRUST NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30TH JUNE Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 1 a) ENTITY REPORTING: Katiki Point Penguin Refuge Charitable Trust is registered under the Charities Act The Trust is a reporting entity for the purposes for the Financial Reporting Act The Financial Statements of the company have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Act The Trust qualifies for differential reporting as is is not publicly accountable and does not qualify as a large entity. The company has taken advantage of all available differential reporting exemptions. 1 b) MEASUREMENT BASE: These Financial Statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, with the exception of certain assets being revalued where appropriate. 1 c) PARTICULAR ACCOUNTING POLICIES: Income Tax: The Trust is a registered charity and is exempt from Income Tax 1 c) CONTINGENT LIABILITIES: No guarantees have been recorded by the Trustees. Previous Year $0.00