31 Jan 2012

Rare penguin spotted in Milford Sound

9:32 am on 31 January 2012

Milford Sound had a rare visitor on Monday - a Tawaki (Fiordland crested penguin).

The Tawaki is one of the rarest penguins in the country and is found only on the south-west coast of the South Island.

The sighting is especially uncommon during the January moulting season when the birds lose their waterproof coating and have to remain on dry land, making them vulnerable to predators.

The penguin was spotted by a guide for the Southern Discoveries Tourism Company.