Fossil Forest Yellow Eyed Penguin Southland New Zealand
Photo & Vacation Spot

A Yellow-eyed Penguin waddles across the rocky landscape of the Fossil Forest at Curio Bay in Southland, New Zealand on the return trip to its nest after feeding all day.

After a long day of fishing in the waters at Curio Bay in Southland, New Zealand, a Yellow-eyed Penguin has decided to return to its nest for a good night's sleep. At low tide, the Yellow-eyed Penguin must cross over the rocky landscape at the Fossil Forest to return to its nest which is found in the forest and scrubland against rocks or tree trunks along the New Zealand coastline.

As this penguin stops on top of the rocks, one can see the pink coloring of its feet and beak, the yellow hues on its head, the glow of the penguin's unique yellow eyes and the gray and white markings of its body. Reaching a weight of approximately 14 pounds and 2 1/2 feet in height, the Yellow-eyed Penguin is one of the rarest penguins in the world and are classified as endangered.

Two of the biggest threats to the Yellow-eyed Penguins are humans who have destroyed much of their habitat along the mainland of New Zealand and predators such as ferrets, cats, rats and dogs. A recovery plan has been set up to try and promote the recovery of the Yellow-eyed Penguin and with the help of the local people of NZ, these penguins could be seen along these coastal shores for years to come.

Yellow-Eyed Penguin, Megadyptes antipodes, making its way to its nest across the Fossil Forest at Curio Bay, Southern Scenic Route, Catlins, Southland, East Coast, South Island, New Zealand.