ABSTRACT

The identification and subsequent protection of suitable breeding habitat for little penguins (Eudyptula minor) is restricted by data deficiency across large stretches of the species range. For example, presence/absence data is lacking for much of the Canterbury coast, mainland New Zealand. In October 2019, a Protected Species Detection Dog was used to conduct the first comprehensive survey for E. minor along the greater Kaikōura coastline. The principal objectives were to locate and map the distribution of sites utilised by E. minor between Waipapa Bay and the Conway River, characterise areas of suitable breeding habitat and identify ‘little blue’ and ‘white-flippered’ morphotypes. Eudyptula minor were located within just 0.7% of a coastal stretch measuring c. 75 km. A single breeding colony was located in severely fragmented habitat on the southern face of the Kaikōura Peninsula, South Bay. The Detection Dog gave positive indications at six further isolated sites in sheltered bays, including two active nests on the northern faces of Spy Glass Point (Piripaua) and the Kaikōura Peninsula. We highlight the importance of the breeding colony at South Bay, Kaikōura, and recommend the protection of existing habitat as a priority for the survival of E. minor along the greater Kaikōura coastline.

摘要

小企鹅 ( Eudyptula minor )合适繁殖栖息地的识别和随后的保护受到物种范围大范围内数据不足的限制。例如，新西兰大陆坎特伯雷海岸的大部分地区缺乏存在/不存在数据。2019 年 10 月，使用受保护物种探测犬对大凯库拉海岸线上的小埃马进行了首次全面调查。主要目标是定位和绘制E. minor在 Waipapa Bay 和 Conway 河之间使用的地点的分布图，描述合适的繁殖栖息地的区域，并确定“小蓝”和“白鳍足”形态类型。小桉树仅位于测量 c 的海岸线的 0.7% 内。75 公里。一个单一的繁殖群位于南湾凯库拉半岛南面严重破碎的栖息地。探测犬在避风港湾的另外六个孤立地点给出了积极的指示，包括间谍玻璃点（Piripaua）和凯库拉半岛北面的两个活动巢穴。我们强调在南湾，凯库拉繁殖地的重要性，并建议现有栖息地的保护作为一个优先的生存E.未成年沿大凯库拉海岸线。