Northern Royal Albatross Web Camera This is a joint initiative between the Otago Peninsula Trust (OPT), which manages the Royal Albatross Centre, and The Department of Conservation (DOC).

Click here to find out more about wildlife management at Taiaroa Head

The breeding birds have returned to Taiaroa Head, eggs have been laid and hatching has commenced with the first chick successfully entering the world on the 19 January 2009. The web cam is moved on a regular basis by the guides at Taiaroa Head to try and show the best view - usually a nest or perhaps a 'social gathering' of teenager birds.

One of the issues albatross face living on the mainland is the constant threat of predators such as cats, stoats and ferrets. However, the trapping programme run by the Department of Conservation helps to minimise the threat (traps are wooden boxes).

The OPT runs the visitor experience at the Royal Albatross Centre, one of the longest running eco-tourism ventures in New Zealand, and the only one that directly contributes towards the fostering and protection of the Northern Royal Albatross at Taiaroa Head/Pukekura.

The Department of Conservation has the responsibility of managing the nature reserve where 10,000 sea birds and the only mainland colony of albatross in the Southern Hemisphere, reside.

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These images are copyright of the Royal Albatross Colony.