SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s is Lighting the Way for Cook’s Petrels

At SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's, conservation extends far beyond the aquarium walls, with the team helping rescue, rehabilitate and release vulnerable Cook’s petrels as they make their annual journey across Auckland between breeding grounds and the open ocean. 

Drawn off course by the city’s bright lights, these nocturnal seabirds can become stranded on streets, rooftops, and construction sites; exhausted, injured, and unable to return to sea on their own.

In partnership with BirdCare Aotearoa, the SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s team has been supporting the rehabilitation and release of Cook’s petrels, applying specialist animal care expertise to give these birds a second chance. The Cook's petrels' populations are considered relict, with fewer than 10% of their original population remaining.

Once rescued by members of the public or wildlife agencies, many birds arrive severely dehydrated, injured and too weak to feed themselves. From there, an intensive rehabilitation process begins, including fluid therapy, medical treatment, and tube feeding, followed by feather restoration and supervised pool sessions to help rebuild their strength and waterproofing. Only once the birds can safely swim and sustain themselves are they released back into the Moana.

This year alone, 39 Cook’s petrels have been admitted into care, with 70 per cent successfully rehabilitated and returned to the wild. While rescue numbers were lower than expected, experts believe this may be linked to factors including food scarcity, weather patterns, or conversely, perhaps greater public awareness to reduce outdoor lighting during seabird migratory seasons.

By comparison, BirdCare admitted 100 Cook’s petrels in 2025, with an average of 105 admissions recorded annually over the past four years — a sharp increase compared to just 24 rescues in 2019, coinciding with Auckland’s widespread transition to LED lighting.

The rescue effort is increasingly being powered by the wider community. In one recent case, an NZTA construction crew working overnight discovered a grounded petrel and quickly coordinated emergency transport for the bird at 3am. After weeks in rehabilitation, BirdCare invited the crew to take part in the bird’s release back into the wild — a powerful reminder of the role everyday New Zealanders can play in protecting native wildlife.

Dan Henderson, General Manager, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s, said, “We’re proud to support the rehabilitation and release of Cook’s petrels alongside BirdCare Aotearoa. Seabirds like these are deeply connected to ocean health and protecting them is part of our wider conservation mission. We encourage everyone to join us!”