Same sex NZ couples breeding together
DUNEDIN – Conservation rangers in New Zealand have confirmed two female royal albatrosses are incubating an egg on the Otago Peninsula, the world’s only mainland breeding colony of these endangered sea birds.
News of the unusual pair came after suspicions there are two male yellow eyed penguins also incubating an egg on the peninsula, 30 minutes from Dunedin city centre.
Rangers have had the albatross couple sitting on a dummy egg in case the relationship did not last and the nest was deserted. However, both are proving to be good parents and are happy to be incubating.
The original egg has now been returned to the nest.
Two breeding seasons ago the pair attempted to nest an egg with a male albatross. Last year the threesome returned to the breeding colony but failed to nest at all.
The Royal Albatross Centre runs guided tours of Taiaroa Head. Visitors learn about the breeding process and see albatross soar across the sea using their impressive three metre wing span.
They can also board a Monarch Wildlife Cruise to see the birds reach speeds of 115kph.
The chick is expected to hatch in January when its female parents will feed and nurture it.
Once the chick becomes fully fledged and takes off on its first flight it will stay at sea for three to six years without touching land.
Albatross have characteristics similar to the yellow eyed penguin who can only be found on New Zealand’s south east coast and outer islands. Both rare species tend to have one partner for life.
‘Divorce’ mostly occurs when nesting fails. The divorce rate of a yellow eyed penguin is around seven percent.
Penguin Place is a private conservation reserve nearby The Royal Albatross Centre and is home to the ‘gay penguin couple’.
Penguin Place operates 90 minute tours of the reserve with all profits going back towards conserving the penguins.
The Otago Peninsula was recently named in the world’s top ten destinations for twitchers (bird watchers) by Lonely Planet.
In addition to albatross and yellow eyed penguins the peninsula is home to New Zealand fur seals, sea lions, hectors dolphins, little blue penguins and cormorants.
A full day Otago Peninsula package including a wildlife cruise, The Royal Albatross Centre, Penguin Place, Larnach Castle and a guided tour of Dunedin landmarks can be booked online at www.wildlife.co.nz (NZD$250 per adult, NZD$125 per child).
Ian Jarrett
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