New Zealand has several different types of penguins including the smallest penguin species in the world and the rarest. The most common species found here is the Little BLUE penguin, which at an average weight of less than 2 kilograms, also happens to also be the world's smallest. The endemic yellow eyed penguin or HOIHO is the world's rarest penguin species. There are estimated to be less than 1,700 breeding pairs of them left in the world. Predation of chicks by various invasive predators, including feral cats, ferrets and stoats is one of the most significant impacts on yellow-eyed penguins. Adult penguins are also at risk due to human disturbance, habitat fragmentation and domestic dogs. Dogs are the number one killer of adult penguins on land and must be kept on leashes wherever there might be penguin activity. Some preservation areas even bar dogs altogether by attempting to minimize disruption and predation of penguins in New Zealand. Blue Penguins are NOCTURNAL on land and go out to sea to hunt before sunrise. They return under the cover of darkness after sunset in large groups called “rafts” which usually come ashore together and are comprised of the same individuals each night. Sea lions and fur seals are notorious predators of penguins in the ocean. However, even on land yellow eyed penguins are weary and move swiftly past a potentially hazardous encounter. Small BLUE penguins may travel up to 2 km from the sea and climb more than 300m to find the perfect nesting spot. It is not uncommon to see traffic signs warning drivers to watch for blue penguins. They have no awareness of motor vehicles and often fall victim to them on coastal roads. One of my favorite places to view penguins in New Zealand is at the Royal Albatross Centre in Dunedin. They provide a great viewing platform with special lighting that doesn't disrupt the blue penguin habitat. The Katiki Point Historic Reserve also provides a great free location to possibly catch a glimpse of the endangered yellow eyed penguins. Please help us save the penguins of New Zealand. You can make an impact! Drive slowly in coastal areas. Keep dogs off the beach where penguins are known to nest and never let your dog off leash on these coastal areas. Keep hidden and off the beach during times when penguins go to sea and come back onto land. If you are on the beach and a penguin sees you, there is a chance they will abandon their chicks in the nest. Always remember to to maintain adequate distance from animals and nesting areas. This video was shot entirely on a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX10 IV superzoom camera: https://amzn.to/2Ykg1Wq (affiliate link) More from New Zealand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFfNZJIqF10&list=PLgebiYsPxyGxVsto0N2Z6viehzqCsOXmB ▶️SUBSCR ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jV3WxQgkuw

****Very Important**** I want to correct something that I said in this video. You NEVER want to play dead if attacked by a black bear. You should fight back. The playing dead strategy only applies to brown and grizzly bears. We made it to Yosemite and explored one of the best, most popular hikes, The Mist Trail. It takes you over the top of two beautiful, huge waterfalls (Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls) and provides some of the best views in the park. Backpacker.com calls the Mist Trail (which leads to the Half Dome trail) one of the 10 most dangerous hikes in America We set out on an epic road trip adventure to hit 5 National Parks in 5 days! Zion, Bryce, Death Valley, Yosemite, and Sequoia. 5 parks, 4 states, 2 time zones, 1665 miles, 1 car, and 4 friends. Buy an "OG Infamous" T-shirt or hoodie: https://teespring.com/infamousjsl ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCzJ7fLwQa0