It has been awhile...

Well after nearly a year of no posts (oops!!) we are back into baby season again.  Over the last couple of weeks we have had baby Auckland Green Geckos arriving. They are absolutely tiny and so very cute.  Check out these two, they are both Auckland Greens but one is the green variation and one is yellow.  Apparently yellow Auckland Green Gecko are common in captivity.

We will be back soon (promise!) with more updates from EcoWorld.

Christmas is coming....

For the last two weekends we have been involved in the Picton and Blenheim Christmas parades and here is a little peak at what we looked like...

Bert and Ernie nearly all grown up...

Just a quick update on Bert and Ernie, as you can see Bert has definitely grown.  Bert is now weighing in at 975 g and Ernie is 863g which is fantastic.  Adult Blue penguins weigh about 1 kg so not too far to go.  They both still have their baby fluff but some of their adult plumage is now starting to show.

Ecoworld are pleased to welcome Peanut...

Peanut the Indian Ringneck Parakeet begins his first day of work at Ecoworld today.  He is already a little character and we can only look forward to more.  
Indian Ringnecks are native to Asia and Africa and can be seen in the forests or arid environments. Ringnecks are intelligent parrots and they learn concepts quickly and love to show off. Along with being intelligent, they are great at talking (Peanut is likely to start talking after he turns one).
We are all very excited about his arrival (as you can see from Regan's daughters face below!!)

Bert and Ernie find new home

With the warmth of spring comes the pitter patter of Little Blue Penguin feet and EcoWorld Aquarium is welcoming the first penguin arrivals with a tinge of sadness.  Last week two chicks were rescued after discovering an adult Blue Penguin dead on their nest.

In New Zealand, Korora or Little Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor), are found all along the coastline and often fall prey to rats, cats, dogs and other introduced predators.  These small penguins will return to the same breeding ground every year and with increased coastal development, roads and predators life can be pretty tough.

The population and range of Little Blue Penguins has been declining in areas not protected from predation and the Department of Conservation now ranks them as “Lower risk – near threatened”.  EcoWorld manager, Regan Russell states “we have established a safe breeding area with 10 nest boxes and the new penguin chicks are in safe hands getting twice daily feeds of salmon smelt”.  Each day the penguins are weighed to check on their progress and it is hoped that they will be released back into the wild around Christmas. 

Regan also suggests that if people find an injured or ill Little Blue Penguin that they contact their local DoC office.  EcoWorld wish to thank Rosalie Goldsworthy at Kataki Point Penguin Charitable Trust in Otago for all her help and penguin expertise.

New Seahorse babies!!!

Spring must be here...the first seahorse babies have arrived.  They are only about 5mm from head to tail and there are about 200 "ponies".  
Hippocampus abdominalis or Pot Belly Seahorses are the largest seahorse found in New Zealand and as with all seahorse species the male is the one who becomes pregnant.  Males are also quite obvious with their prominent brood pouches.  The Pot Belly Seahorse can give birth to as many as 700 babies - OUCH!!!

Little Blue display is finished

The Little Blue display is all ready and waiting for its first inhabitants.  Regan has been having a chat with some of the guys at DoC so hopefully we will have some soon.
We are also expecting a new staff member in about a month, he/she will not be able to speak for about two years, is a bit feathery and we expect will be extremely popular - that's right it isn't a human but a baby ring neck parakeet!! Regan is super excited about this arrival, as with all his babies, and I am sure that he/she will be a great addition to the team.