Much larger than the Blue Penguins that you see on a Blue Penguins Pukekura tour, the Yellow-eyed penguins (found at other locations on the Otago Peninsula) are a species in trouble. Their population is in serious decline and need a huge amount of support to keep this species on the South Island.

So rare, it is best for that species of penguin to try and see Yellow-eyed penguins on a guided tour such as those operating at Nature’s Wonders, Clearwater Wildlife Tours or at The OPERA.

The OPERA (The Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance) is at the forefront of penguin care and rehabilitation of injured penguins, caring for over 250 penguins annually (including other species such as blue penguins). At Blue Penguins Pukekura we work closely with the team from The OPERA who have specialised care facilities for many species of penguins.

Without the work the team at The OPERA are doing, Yellow-eyed penguins numbers would be significantly less than they are today.

DISCOUNT CODE FOR YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN TOURS AT THE OPERA

While Yellow-eyed penguin viewing is not guaranteed, the team at The OPERA will do their best to show you a range of wildlife on their reserves. Go to The OPERA website for up-to-date information and use the code “Korora5” on their website to get 5% discount on their tours !

Not only will you be supporting their incredible work to save one of the world’s most endangered species of penguins, a visit to The OPERA will also support their work rewilding over 150 acres of land, turning what was farmland back into native forest. This is a huge undertaking that has not been seen on the Otago Peninsula in such a large-scale operation.