Volunteers are still needed to set up a patrol at Oamaru Harbour to protect blue penguins from visitors who do not go to the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony centre and viewing area.
The initiative is being promoted by the Waitaki Tourism Association (in conjunction with the Department of Conservation), which has had three people offer to help educate visitors about how to treat penguins and other wildlife in the area since it first advertised the project last month.
Association member Carol Scott said yesterday a sign had been made up providing visitors with a guide about what to do to protect the welfare of the penguins. It would be used by volunteers.
The association also plans to produce a "code of conduct", to be distributed to tourism operators and accommodation providers, to inform visitors how to take care of the area's wildlife.
That follows feedback from visitors to the penguin colony, where viewing is controlled and visitors are educated about the welfare of penguins. When the visitors leave, they see people outside chasing or blocking birds trying to reach their nests.
