Enduring a 36-hour boat ride in stormy seas was a small price to pay for the "huge privilege" of spending six weeks over summer living and working on the subantarctic Auckland Islands, Dunedin Wildlife Hospital manager Jordana Whyte says.
Ms Whyte was part of a small team of scientists and contractors involved in an annual Department of Conservation project to monitor wildlife populations on the islands, in particular Enderby, Dundas and Figure of Eight islands.
Based mostly on Enderby Island, the small team of Ms Whyte, veterinarian Dr Andy Maloney and physician Dr Olly Aughton worked mainly monitoring the sea lion population, and trapping, measuring and tagging sea lion pups.
In late January they were joined by another five scientists to help with the labour-intensive pup tagging.
"We collect a lot of data trying to understanding the changes to the colony in terms of numbers of females, ages and pups," Ms Whyte said.
"There are hundreds of pups born on Enderby Island and well over 1000 born on Dundas Island each year, so it’s quite a sight."
While the raw data from this year’s monitoring had not yet been analysed, it appeared the population had stabilised after a concerning 24% drop last year.
"The Auckland Islands is the main breeding place for sea lions, so these are very important populations."
During their summer stay, the scientists also spent time monitoring hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins, and counting the nests of toroa/southern royal albatross.
Being able to work in the subantarctic was a "huge privilege" and well worth the hard work and "basic" accommodation.
"The work there and the surroundings really filled my cup and reminded me why I became so passionate about wildlife and conservation in the first place.
"I am lucky to work in this space already but most of my impact comes from behind a desk, so actually getting out into the field was really refreshing."
Dunedin people were lucky to get to share their spaces with sea lions, "but it can be misleading when we see them every day", Ms Whyte said.
"This is still a species in trouble, and the subantarctic work programme is really important to understanding what their current pressures are, and how things are changing, whether positive or negative.
"Ultimately, what’s happening there will help shape how sea lion conservation is approached on the mainland."
Many of the species she encountered had been treated at the Wildlife Hospital in Dunedin.
"It’s fantastic to see them in a truly wild space.
"It helps me feel more closely connected to the work we do at the hospital, as sometimes were only ever seen them as patients, not in their native habitats."
brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz
