Penguin Hoiho Wins New Zealand’s Bird of the Year Title, Highlighting Endangerment

The hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, has been crowned New Zealand’s Bird of the Year, winning a fiercely contested election on Monday, The Associated Press reports.

The victory offers a glimmer of hope for the endangered species, with advocates believing the recognition will boost conservation efforts.

The annual Bird of the Year contest, known for its lively and passionate campaigns, saw a notable shift this year. While past elections have been marred by allegations of foreign interference and cheating, 2024 saw a focus on grassroots campaigning. Supporters deployed memes, sought celebrity endorsements, and even went as far as getting tattoos to demonstrate their loyalty.

More than 50,000 people participated in the vote, a major decrease from last year’s record turnout spurred by British comedian John Oliver’s humorous campaign for the pūteketeke. Despite the lower number of votes, the election still engaged 10% of the New Zealand population.

The hoiho, nicknamed “noise shouter” in Māori, is the world’s rarest penguin and is found only on New Zealand’s South and Chatham Islands, as well as subantarctic islands. However, its population has plummeted by 78% in the past 15 years.

“This spotlight couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Nicola Toki, chief executive of Forest & Bird, the organization that runs the poll. “This iconic penguin is disappearing from mainland Aotearoa [Māori name for New Zealand] before our eyes.”

Toki outlined the threats facing the hoiho, including entanglement in fishing nets, habitat loss, and dwindling food sources.

This year’s competition saw a diverse range of campaign managers, from power companies to high school students. The winning campaign for the hoiho was a collaboration of wildlife groups, a museum, a brewery, and a rugby team from Dunedin, where the species is found on the mainland.

A fierce rivalry emerged between the Victoria University of Wellington’s student association, campaigning for the karure, and the student magazine, promoting the kororā, or little blue penguin. The battleground saw meme wars, students sporting bird costumes, and even tattoo pledges.

The karure, a species that has undergone a remarkable recovery since the 1980s, secured second place. The ruru, another native bird, secured fourth place, its best result to date, under the guidance of veteran campaign manager Ruth Rawson.