Special Publications: March 12, 2024

28
dUnedin
SOUTHERN HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS AUTUMN-WINTER 2024
Help us save the
yellow-eyed penguin
The time is very short, and the choice is
very clear, either we take action to save
the hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) or face
our children when they ask us where
we were, and what we were doing on
the day the species went extinct. Only
an estimated 1,500 hoiho remain on
the planet, with less than 500 living on
the mainland of New Zealand, making
them the most endangered penguins
in the world. Thankfully, organisations
such as The OPERA – Otago Peninsula
Eco Restoration Alliance – a private eco
reserve located outside Dunedin, are
working to save this treasured species.
Since 1985, The OPERA (formerly
called Penguin Place) has been creating
safe spaces for the hoiho and helping
the species fight back from the brink
of extension. Each year, more than half
the mainland population of hoiho pass
through their rehabilitation centre,
recuperating from malnutrition, injury,
or illness. The organisation’s hard work
is resulting in a 98% success rate at
returning penguins in their care to
the wild.
In addition to hoiho, The OPERA is
also home to kororā (little penguins),
fur seals, sea lions, and numerous
shore and forest birds. These native
animals are monitored by the staff
and available for viewing by guests
participating in one of the many guided
tour options. The proceeds of which
fund the conservation, rehabilitation,
restoration, and education work being
accomplished by the organisation.
Beyond their work to preserve the
native flora and fauna already within
their reserve, The OPERA is developing
a 100-year plan to oversee the
restoration of more than 200 hectares
of previously cleared farmland back
to a lush forest teeming with native
New Zealand wildlife. They are also
dedicated to regenerative business
practises such as removing single use
plastics from the property and working
to repurpose waste into reusable
products, such as crushing glass into
sand. The OPERA is also transitioning
traditional power to solar and windgenerated
energy.
You are invited to join the fight to save
the hoiho and regenerate the Otago
Peninsula. Take a guided tour at The
OPERA, make a cash donation, or
volunteer for our planting and habitat
restoration initiatives.
Visit www.theopera.co.nz to learn more.
Visit our site at
TheOPERA.co.nz
for booking times and details
Located on the spectacular Otago Peninsula, on
the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand,
The OPERA—Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration
Alliance—is a private eco-reserve dedicated to
conservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and
education.
Guided tours provide guests the potential of
viewing hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins), kororā (little
penguins), sea lions, fur seals, sea and forest birds,
native flora, and much more within our reserve.
We invite you to become part of our story by joining
us for a tour and learning more about our work.
PROUD
PREMIER
SPONSOR