Satellite Tracking Summary Sept 2007 to Sept 2008 For the first time in the Royal Albatross Colony's history, we were able to follow the journeys of three juvenile Northern Royal Albatrosses: two males, including Toroa the 500th chick to hatch at the Royal Albatross Colony, and one female since they fledged from Taiaroa Head in September 2007.  Each of the birds had lightweight satellite transmitters attached to their back feathers and GPS locations were given every 6 hours and the data was plotted onto google earth maps for the visitors to our website to view. These birds were tracked for approximately one year, from the age of nine months. All three albatross are currently no longer transmitting. We may never know the reason for this, but speculations include detachment of the transmitter (due to natural wear and tear or moulting of the feathers), malfunctioning of the transmitter or mortality of the albatross. However, if these albatross return to the colony as expected in 4- 6 years, it may be possible to ascertain the reason. Toroa – last data received Sept 24, 2008. Female Bird – last data received Aug 31, 2008. Male Bird – last data received February 10, 2008.

Journey They appeared to head north from Taiaroa Head up the coast of NZ. From here they travelled across the southern ocean in an almost straight line, taking between 30 and 80 days from first fledging until they reached the coast of Chile. Whilst on the coast of Chile, the female spent most of her time north of the other two, off the coast of Valparaiso (a fishing town), as for north as lat 23 S. Toroa spent most of his time heading up and down the coast of Chile, as far north as lat 35 S, and as far south as lat 56 S (past Cape Horn at the bottom of South America) very near the Falkland Islands. The second male spent more time crossing the southern ocean than the other two, then remained between lat 39 and 45 S, ending his tracking prematurely after only six months. Whilst on the coast of Chile, all three albatross stayed within 2 – 300 km from the coast, within the continental shelf area. The speed of the albatross ranged between 105 and 110 km/hr and the altitude was approximately 37 m above sea level for all three albatross. The average daily minimum distance travelled ranged from 500 km to just over 1000 km and the total maximum distance travelled during the entire tracking period was 46,000 km. The scientific results will be put together over the next few months with the aim to analyse oceanic and environmental data with the location data. This will hopefully highlight possible behavioural patterns as well as travel routes and ocean hotspots used by this species and at which times of the year they use them. These routes and hotspots are important areas highlighting where birds travel or tend to congregate and when identified can be used within management plans when working with groups such as the fishing industry. Understanding where this species goes at every stage of its life is important in identifying possible reasons for population decline. We hope that apart from the direct scientific benefits of this study, our visitors to the website have learnt more about the albatross and their amazing journey they undertake after leaving the Colony and some of the dangers they face along the way.