Wellington, Sep 16 (IANS) The Hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, has won New Zealand Bird of the Year 2024, again after its previous win in 2019, the conservation organisation Forest & Bird announced on Monday.
Hoiho, the world’s rarest penguin species unique to New Zealand securing 6,328 votes, “wears the coveted crown atop its golden head for the second time,” joining the kakapo as the only bird to have taken out the avian election twice, said Forest & Bird, the event organiser.
“The dapper flapper, with a Maori name Hoiho, means “noise shouter,” is notoriously shy despite its loud, shrill call,” it said, adding residents from Dunedin where the birds with flipper-power and a sharp beak reside launched a “tenacious campaign” that propelled the penguin into first place, reports Xinhua news agency.
Led by the campaign manager Charlie Buchan of the Otago Museum in Dunedin, New Zealand’s wildlife capital, supporters ranged from local wildlife and environmental organisations, the Highlanders rugby team to Emerson’s Brewery, who crafted a special pale ale in honour of the “people’s penguin.”
Campaign teams put up posters, and donned bird costumes in efforts to win votes, hoping to bring tangible support for the bird, Buchan said.
The Hoiho also attracted endorsements from legendary conservationist Jane Goodall, former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Labor leader Chris Hipkins.
The second place was taken by the karure Chatham Island black robin. The kakapo ranked third after winning in 2008 and 2020.
According to the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust, the number of mainland breeding birds has dropped by 78 per cent over the last 15 years, including an 18 per cent dip over the last year alone.
Diseases like diphtheria and threats from dogs and introduced predators like cats, stoats and ferrets have made Hoiho endangered, said Forest & Bird chief executive Nicola Toki.
A total of 52,477 verified votes were cast by bird lovers from across New Zealand and around the world to choose their top five birds on the Bird of the Year website among 74 avian candidates, starting on September 2.
The annual event aims to raise awareness of native birds’ protection, as more than 80 per cent of New Zealand’s native birds are at risk or threatened with extinction.
–IANS
int/rs/sd
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.