Yellow-eyed Penguin Wins New Zealand Bird Of The Year

The yellow-eyed penguin, known as hoiho, has been named New Zealand's Bird of the Year, providing hope for its revival as numbers have plummeted by 78% in the last 15 years. The competition this year, which saw over 50,000 votes cast, was notably free of scandals that marred previous elections, instead featuring traditional campaign strategies like meme wars and celebrity endorsements. Last year's contest drew significantly more votes, partly due to a humorous campaign led by British host John Oliver for another bird, the pūteketeke. The hoiho, which translates to 'noise shouter' in Māori, is endemic to New Zealand and is recognized as one of the world's rarest penguin species. Campaigner Emma Rawson emphasized the cultural significance of birds to New Zealanders, highlighting the nation's deep-rooted love for its native avian species. Nicola Toki of Forest & Bird remarked that this recognition comes at a critical time for the penguin, stressing the urgency of conservation efforts.