Eudyptes sclateri

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	Sphenisciformes	Spheniscidae

Scientific Name:

Eudyptes sclateri

Species Authority:

Buller, 1888

Common Name/s:

English

–

Erect-crested Penguin, Big-crested Penguin

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered A2b; B2ab(i,ii,iv,v) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

BirdLife International

Evaluator/s:

Butchart, S. & Mahood, S. (BirdLife International Red List Authority)

Justification:
This species is considered Endangered because its population is estimated to have declinedvery rapidly over the last three generations (45 years), and is it almost certainly still declining. Furthermore, it has a very small breeding range, which many now be restricted to just two locations.

History:

2007	–	Endangered
2005	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1994	–	Vulnerable
1988	–	Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Eudyptes sclateri breeds on the Bounty and Antipodes Islands (1 km² and 20 km² respectively), New Zealand. In 1978, the population on the Bounty Islands was estimated at 115,000 pairs, spread over nine tiny islands⁶. A survey in 1997-1998 estimated a total of 28,000 breeding pairs^1,2. Census methods differed, making comparisons less useful⁷, but the results suggest that a large decline may have taken place. The population on the Antipodes in 1978 was believed to be of a similar size to the Bounty Islands in the same year. In 1995, ground surveys indicated c.49,000-57,000 pairs⁷, representing a decline of c.50% in 20 years - there have been further decreases since⁸. These declines are supported by photographic evidence. The population on Campbell Island numbered 20-30 pairs in 1986-1987, but no breeding was seen. A few hundred birds bred there in the 1940s⁷. Winter distribution at sea is largely unknown, the only records being from the Cook Strait and off the east coast of the South Island⁵.
Countries:	Native: New Zealand Vagrant: Antarctica; Argentina; Australia; Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:	Native: Pacific – southwest
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Bounty Islands (1997-1998): 28,000 breeding pairs (J. Amey per A. M. Booth in litt. 1999; Clark et al. 1998). Antipodes (1995): c.49,000-57,000 pairs (Taylor 2000)
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It nests in large, dense, conspicuous colonies, numbering thousands of pairs, on rocky terrain, often without substantial soil or vegetation, from the spray zone to 75 m elevation^4,5. It feeds on krill and squid, and occasionally takes small fish⁴.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The reason for the large population declines is thought to be associated with marine factors affecting survivorship^3,7. There are no mammalian predators on the Bounty or Antipodes Islands, except for mice on the main Antipodes Island.

Major Threat(s):

The reason for the large population declines is thought to be associated with marine factors affecting survivorship^3,7. There are no mammalian predators on the Bounty or Antipodes Islands, except for mice on the main Antipodes Island.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation actions underway: Cattle and sheep were eradicated from Campbell Island by 1984 and 1992 respectively⁷. Introduced brown rats Rattus norvegicus have been successfully removed from Campbell Island, although their effect on the colony was never studied⁷. All islands are nature reserves and part of a World Heritage Site designated in 1998. Conservation actions proposed: Census a sample of Antipodes Island colonies every five years, and re-photograph photopoints from 1978 and 1995 expeditions. Census Proclamation Island (Bounty Islands) every five years. Compare aerial and ground surveys of the Bounty Islands to ascertain the viability of using the former method for monitoring colonies⁷. Conduct detailed studies to determine foraging ranges, commercial fisheries competition, and oceanographic or climatic changes³.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation actions underway:

Cattle and sheep were eradicated from Campbell Island by 1984 and 1992 respectively⁷. Introduced brown rats Rattus norvegicus have been successfully removed from Campbell Island, although their effect on the colony was never studied⁷. All islands are nature reserves and part of a World Heritage Site designated in 1998.

Conservation actions proposed:

Census a sample of Antipodes Island colonies every five years, and re-photograph photopoints from 1978 and 1995 expeditions. Census Proclamation Island (Bounty Islands) every five years. Compare aerial and ground surveys of the Bounty Islands to ascertain the viability of using the former method for monitoring colonies⁷. Conduct detailed studies to determine foraging ranges, commercial fisheries competition, and oceanographic or climatic changes³.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Eudyptes sclateri. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2010.
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