Otago Peninsula - Natural History

Natural History

There is a diverse flora and fauna on the Otago Peninsula. Avafauna observed include the endangered Yellow-eyed Penguin, Megadyptes antipodes, Little Blue Penguin, shags, Jewelled Geckos and the Royal Albatross. Seal and sea lion colonies have regenerated during the 20th century. A number of New Zealand Fur Seals and Hooker's Sea Lions currently breed around Taiaroa Head. Southern Elephant Seals and Leopard Seals are also known to occur.

In 1975 a whale was seen in Otago Harbour for the first time since the whaling days and the number of sighting of larger whales in this area is increasing. Southern Right Whales, the primal target species for shore-whaling, were hunted to almost extinction, but are slowly recovering now and can be seen off Otago coast close to shore in their migration season, along with Humpback Whale. Other Baleen Whales that have been confirmed in the area in recent days include Blue Whales and Minke Whales. Several species of dolphins or small whales also occur constantly around the peninsula: Dusky Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin, and endangered Hector's Dolphin. Orca, the killer whales, are occasionally seen. Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales and some species of beaked whales can be found further offshore and rarely stranded.