The star albatross chick beamed around the world on Otago Peninsula’s "Royal cam" has died after being attacked by her mother yesterday. Strong winds were vital for the birds to fly and without them albatross were eventually forced to abandon their nests. The Otago Peninsula was within the northern-most ranges of breeding populations of yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho and New Zealand sea lions/rāpoka. Royal cam (www.doc.govt.nz/royalcam) is now back on after being turned off last night. "KGY also has a good record of producing healthy chicks over the years making this behaviour even more unexpected and upsetting for our rangers," Ms Toki said.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 19, 2018 00:56 UTC