New Zealand’s Ocean Heatwave is causing the deaths of hundreds of Little Blue Penguins
Ninety Mile Beach is located on a peninsula at the northern tip of New Zealand’s North Island. The (actually 55-mile long) stretch of sand is popular for tourists, fishing, and recreation. However, the beach has been a tragic site in recent weeks.
According to , a report by Radio New Zealand, hundreds of dead penguins were found washed up along the western shore by beach-goers and hikers. According to local conservation authorities, the sightings indicate a larger bird death, possibly triggered by warmer ocean temperatures.
One hiker on the Te Araroa Trail in May noticed dead birds and counted over 200 within three days.
RNZ published the following observations by the hiker:
“There were quite some that seemed strange, so I decided to start counting them to find out how many.
He counted penguins for three days.
“I counted 75 dead penguins on the first day, covering a distance of 10 kms. On day two, I walked north and counted them again. That morning, I had 71. On the third day, I counted 59 dead birds.
Turner said that there would have been over 200 people walking the 30-kilometres each day.
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