Yellow-eyed Penguin Named New Zealand’s Bird of the Year
The Hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, has clinched the title of New Zealand’s Bird of the Year for 2024, marking its second win following its previous victory in 2019, according to the conservation organization Forest & Bird.
The Hoiho, the world’s rarest penguin species native to New Zealand, garnered 6,328 votes, securing the prestigious title for the second time. It now joins the kakapo as one of only two birds to win the annual avian competition twice, Forest & Bird noted.
The yellow-eyed penguin, whose Maori name Hoiho means “noise shouter,” is known for its elusive nature despite its distinctive, shrill call. Residents of Dunedin, where the penguins live, launched a determined campaign that propelled the Hoiho to the top spot, reports Xinhua news agency.
The campaign, led by Charlie Buchan from the Otago Museum in Dunedin, garnered support from local wildlife and environmental groups, the Highlanders rugby team, and even Emerson’s Brewery, which created a special pale ale to celebrate the “people’s penguin.”
In addition to local support, the Hoiho received endorsements from prominent figures including conservationist Jane Goodall, former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, and Labour leader Chris Hipkins.
The Chatham Island black robin, or karure, took second place, while the kakapo ranked third after previous wins in 2008 and 2020.
According to the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust, the population of mainland breeding Hoiho has declined by 78 percent over the past 15 years, including an 18 percent drop in the last year alone. The species faces threats from diseases such as diphtheria and predators like dogs, cats, stoats, and ferrets, making it endangered, noted Forest & Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki.
A total of 52,477 verified votes were cast by bird enthusiasts from New Zealand and around the world in this year’s Bird of the Year competition, which featured 74 avian candidates. The annual event aims to raise awareness about the conservation of native birds, with over 80 percent of New Zealand’s native bird species at risk or threatened with extinction.
