Why is the yellow-eyed penguin considered Endangered?

Its mainland New Zealand population has crashed due to introduced predators, fishing net entanglement, malnutrition from poor foraging success, and disease outbreaks; the northern population fell about 80% between 2008 and 2025, from 739 to 143 breeding pairs.

Can yellow-eyed penguins be seen in zoos or aquariums?

No. The species does not breed successfully in captivity, so it is absent from every zoo and aquarium in the world; it can only be seen in its native New Zealand habitat.

How many operating facilities are registered here?

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0

Yellow-eyed Penguinキガシラペンギン

Megadyptes antipodesEN— Endangered

The yellow-eyed penguin is a New Zealand endemic named for its pale yellow eyes and the band of yellow feathers crossing its head, breeding along the southeastern coast of South Island and on subantarctic islands such as Auckland and Campbell. Unlike most penguins it forages alone rather than in colonies, diving for fish and squid, and it is classified as Endangered, with its mainland population collapsing sharply in recent years.

Yellow-eyed Penguin (reference photo) — Photo: Christian Mehlführer / CC BY 2.5 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Sphenisciformes / Spheniscidae Source
Size: About 62–80 cm
Weight: About 3–8.5 kg (males average about 5.53 kg, females about 5.13 kg)
Lifespan: Up to about 20 years in the wild (males tend to live longer than females)
Diet: Piscivore Feeds mainly on fish (chiefly small bottom-dwelling species) and squid; benthic species make up about 90% of the diet
Activity: Diurnal; forages alone, swimming up to 15 km offshore
Distribution: Endemic to New Zealand, occurring along the southeastern coast of South Island and Stewart Island, plus the subantarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

Unlike most penguins, it does not form dense colonies, instead nesting alone or in pairs within dense coastal vegetation, with an incubation period of 39 to 51 days. Source
The species cannot be bred successfully in captivity and is therefore absent from every zoo and aquarium in the world; it can only be observed in its native New Zealand habitat. Source

Distribution and Habitat

How to tell Penguins apart →

This species is not currently recorded at a zoo or aquarium in Japan. Its global habitat is covered in the species record.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Endangered (EN)

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit: A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving: Find ways to support the facility through its official website.

FAQ

Why is the yellow-eyed penguin considered Endangered?: Its mainland New Zealand population has crashed due to introduced predators, fishing net entanglement, malnutrition from poor foraging success, and disease outbreaks; the northern population fell about 80% between 2008 and 2025, from 739 to 143 breeding pairs. Source
Can yellow-eyed penguins be seen in zoos or aquariums?: No. The species does not breed successfully in captivity, so it is absent from every zoo and aquarium in the world; it can only be seen in its native New Zealand habitat. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org www.iucnredlist.org