Penguin count slumps

The population of Otago's endangered yellow-eyed penguin has plunged by up to 50 per cent on parts of the coastline.

The Department of Conservation believes a mystery disease may be at large.

The DoC protected species programme manager, Dean Nelson, said nest surveys last month revealed bird numbers had plummeted on average by almost 30 per cent.

Last year, 580 breeding pairs were found; this year it was about 400.

"We don't believe it's a man-induced issue, but could be something in their food chain," Mr Nelson said.

The decline in numbers is the worst since 1989-1990, when the birds were struck by a mystery illness.

- NZPA

Herald feature: Environment