In a statement yesterday, Department of Conservation threatened species ambassador Nicola Toki said unusually high temperatures "detrimentally impacted" the breeding season of the northern royal albatross, and just over 50% of the 29 fertile eggs hatched.
Taiaroa Head — the world’s only mainland colony and a popular Otago Peninsula tourist attraction — had only 15 chicks, compared with 26 and 23 at the same time in the last two years respectively.
"This is despite intensive management by our rangers in response to the region’s record hot weather."
The problem was exacerbated by a lack of wind, which was vital for the birds to fly to and from the colony.
This could force birds to abandon nests and fly to sea to "forage for themselves", she said.
"Weather conditions also increased the incidence of fly-strike after hatching, with seven chicks being affected, contributing to one mortality."
Doc rangers were continuing daily management of remaining chicks to ensure they had the best chance of surviving to fledge, she said.In a typical year, 70% to 85% of fertile eggs hatched and about 90% of those survived to leave the nest at about eight months.
Doc had fears other Otago species such as yellow-eyed penguins and sea lions would also have been affected by high temperatures.
Taiaroa Head operations manager Hoani Langsbury said the embryo deaths were "tragic".
"I would say it’s significant, although it’s not the first time that this type of event has happened, so we were somewhat better prepared for it."
However, he did not know the last time there was such a low rate of hatched fertile eggs.
If the colony had not provided Doc with water to cool down the birds during hot weather, even more embryos would have been lost, he said.
Colony management had made sure there was a steady supply of water since losing an adult and chick to heatstroke 10 years ago, he said.
The colony could potentially recover next season, as the parents which did not raise chicks this year would try again rather than taking a year off, he said.
However, summer temperatures were expected to keep increasing, he cautioned.
"That’s why we’re looking at a desalination plant and that type of thing, to make sure we have enough water to give to the department."
There were four nests outside the observatory, so tourist viewing was "still very good".
• The webcam at the colony was turned off about 8pm yesterday after viewers saw an albatross attacking a chick.Commenters said the attack left the chick bleeding.
Doc staff said on the website they would update the public this morning with news on the condition of the young albatross. Doc’s Royal cam on Taiaroa Head first featured the 2016 hatching of a bird dubbed Moana, which attracted 600,000 website hits before she fledged and flew away.
