Stewart Island yellow eyed penguin population decimated

Stewart Island's yellow-eyed penguin chick population has been decimated after the worst breeding season on record saw just one chick out of 32 survive. Brent Beaven from the Department says the shocking death rate is a blow to everyone on the Island. He says it is not yet known why the chicks have died, but samples have been sent to Massey Univeristy for testing. Mr Beaven says chick numbers have been declining for several years, but they have never lost almost the entire chick population. Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust spokesperson Sue Murray says the disastrous season highlights the need for more research, but with funding set to stop next year, the programme's future and that of the island's penguin population hangs in the balance. .

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