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 Photo: Mark Meyburg

 

Penguin Experience 2011          

 

Ten lucky Taranaki teenagers were selected to get up close and personal with Little Blue Penguins at the Penguin Experience Camp 2011 run 13 - 15 October.
They were:
  
  • Kelsey Young (North Taranaki Forest and Bird sponsorship), 15, Patea Area School
  • Nathan Prentice (North Taranaki Forest and Bird sponsorship), 14, Francis Douglas Memorial College
  • Erin Maessen (Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society sponsorship), 18, Home school
  • Matthew Sturgess, 17, Spotswood College
  • Bo Marsh, 14, Sacred Heart Girls College
  • Alicia Venter, 13, Stratford High School
  • Sam Stevens, 16, Hawera High School
  • Dayna Cargill, 16, New Plymouth Girls High School
  • Melanie Smith, 15, Stratford High School
  • Simon Terry, 16, Stratford High School
 
60 Springs would like to acknowledge and thank the North Taranaki Forest & Bird Society and the Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society for kindly sponsoring the registration fees of Kelsey, Nathan and Erin.
 
Penguin Experience Camp 2011 co-ordinator and educator Nathan Hills said:
 

"Bursts of rain and sunshine didn’t stop the much anticipated 60 Springs Penguin Experience II camp. Running the camp during the penguin breeding season was a good call as several penguins and chicks were seen during the three days. The camp was action packed with a variety of presentations, workshops, games, scenario playing and fieldtrips.

During the first night trip six penguins were seen dashing up the beach towards their burrows – a rare but magical sight that was a highlight for everyone involved. Beach cleanups were conducted on Wai-iti, Urenui and Onaero beaches and residents were surveyed to see if they had heard or seen any penguins. Upon arriving at camp the students were alerted to an injured penguin on the beach. This sparked a rescue operation to try and save it resulting in it being taken to a local vet. Unfortunately the bird died shortly afterwards of its injuries – most likely after being bashed around during rough seas.
 
On the last day several penguin boxes made at last years’ camp were repositioned and dug into the ground.  It is hoped this action will make them more habitable for the penguins particularly during the heat of the summer. Feedback was gathered from the students and lastly certificates handed out before heading back to New Plymouth to greet and share stories with families."

Special guests

Several guests shared their knowledge with students on the camp, including;

  • Rodney Baker, Ngāti Mutunga: a local iwi representative;
  • Bridie White, New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, Massey University: discussed wildlife rescue and recovery;
  • Rachel Eckersley: talked about world voluteer opportunities;
  • John Elliot, Principal Mimi School: talked about the work of Mimi School in monitoring and protecting the local colony;
  • Kris Grabow, Rapanui Grey Faced Petrel Trust: Rapanui field trip guide;
  • Raewyn Hope, Shell Todd Oil Services Limited;
  • Callum Lilley, Department of Conservation: discussed Taranaki coastal wildlife and his research on Yellow-eyed penguins in the Auckland Islands;
  • Warren Smart, camp photographer and filmmaker;
  • Elise Smith & Barbara Hammonds, Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society: explained how to enter penguin sightings onto the Taranaki Research Database;
  • Nathan Hills, 60 Springs Environmental Educator at Puke Ariki: camp organiser.
And here is what campers had to say about the experience:

 

  • ‘I think this was the best experience ever! Thanks heaps!’    Bo (14)
  • ‘I’m glad I can go home aware of the penguins and what effects them and their habitats’ Anonymous