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)
Species Data
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
IUCNで絶滅危惧種(EN)に分類される。南島の北方個体群は2008年から2025年にかけて繁殖つがい数が739から143へと約80%減少するなど深刻な減少が続いている。
Habitat
ニュージーランド南島南東部の海岸林・草地から亜南極のオークランド諸島・キャンベル島まで、密生した植生に覆われた海岸に生息する。
Threats
- イヌ・ネコ・フェレットなど導入捕食者による捕食
- 刺し網漁による混獲
- 海水温上昇や不漁による栄養不良
- 致死率90%を超える新型ジャイロウイルスなど感染症
Conservation & Breeding Efforts
- オタゴ半島周辺での緊急的な刺し網漁禁止措置(2025年まで延長)
- 野生動物病院によるヒナの保護・人工育雛(2023年に214羽を保護)
- カトリンズ地方ロングポイントでの保護区設置(2007年)
Sources
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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
Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org www.iucnredlist.org