Royal Albatross Centre
Royal Albatross Centre – 10 Mar, 2024
Written by Laura Findlay
I’d like to think of myself as a bit of an albatross afficionado, but before starting work at the Royal Albatross Centre in 2017 I didn’t really know too much about them!
Very quickly after beginning my role as a visitor host taking people on guided tours to our viewing observatory, albatross became my favourite thing. Six years later, I am still here working as one of the centre managers, leading our education programmes for school groups, spreading the word on albatross, and occasionally helping Department of Conservation staff when they need an extra hand.
There are 22 species of albatross worldwide, and Dunedin’s Pukekura/ Taiaroa Head is home to the only mainland colony of Royal Albatross anywhere in the world. We are nestled at the foot of the Otago Peninsula, a 32km scenic drive from Dunedin City, and I think it is a pretty magical place to work.
There is certainly no shortage of incredible native and endemic wildlife around the Otago Peninsula, and having the chance to observe it all each day has sparked my passion for wildlife photography. There’s nothing quite like getting that perfect shot of an albatross in flight or capturing a special moment between a pair socialising and building their pair bond together.
Below: Northern Royal Albatross; a group of young birds socialising (left) and an adult in flight. Images by: Laura Findlay
Following the growth and development of these albatross is nothing short of a privilege. We can see the immense amount of time and energy required by both parents to raise a single chick – which explains the need for a year off in between seasons! The transformation is incredible - from tiny newly hatched chicks weighing 300 grams, through the cold winter months when they surpass their own parents in weight, to September when they are fully grown 8kg albatross with a full three-metre wingspan – eight long months of growth. I won’t lie – it can be hard not to pick favourites!
Below: The transformation – a three-week-old Northern Royal chick to a giant six-month-old fluffball! Images by: Laura Findlay
Northern Royals breed biennially, meaning they raise one single chick every second year. But luckily for us, the breeding cycle from egg to fledging chick lasts almost one full year which allows us and our visitors the chance to see albatross here almost any week of the year.
Since 1919, Northern Royal Albatross have nested here at Pukekura/ Taiaroa Head, but they haven’t always bred successfully. People and introduced predators caused too much interference, but in the late 1930’s after some much-needed help and advocacy from local teacher Dr Lance Richdale, it became a viable breeding colony.
Today there are over 60 breeding pairs in the colony, growing from just a few individual birds in the early days. We host thousands of visitors each year from all corners of the world, all wanting to see and experience the world’s largest seabird.
Seeing the excitement and joy of our visitors as an albatross soars overhead is always rewarding. Having the chance to advocate for such a vulnerable species like the Northern Royal Albatross is important to me. I truly believe the more a person knows and understands about something, the more they care - this is something my colleagues and I see daily.
Younger generations have incredible sponge-like minds.
They absorb so much information and we have the chance to spread the word of the albatross and their plight through education programmes. Watching students develop a new-found understanding and admiration for these animals is fulfilling – it’s an opportunity to help shape the next generation of conservationists.
For more information: www.albatross.org.nz
Summary:
The world’s only mainland colony of Royal Albatross, accessed by guided tour to a viewing observatory.
How to get there:
Located at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head at the tip of the Otago Peninsula, a 32km drive from Dunedin City – allow 45 minutes for the drive.
