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Antipodean albatross
Breeding pairs remaining in the world: 11,000
Where do they breed?: Antipodean Island, Campbell Island and the Auckland Island group (New Zealand)
Wingspan: 350 cm
Length (beak to tail): 110 cm
Average lifespan: 40-60 years
Diet: It feeds mostly on squid and fish
Scientific name:Diomedea antipodensis
Threat level: Vulnerable
Why they need your help
Longline fishing is the biggest threat facing this species.
From 1987-2003, Antipodean albatrosses made up a large proportion of seabird bycatch from longline tuna fisheries in New Zealand waters. And as recently as 2006, 58 birds were caught in a single fishing trip; a reminder that bycatch remains a real threat for this bird.
More females than males seem to be caught, suggesting that females disperse further north than the males. This increases their chance of coming into contact with longline fisheries in Australian and New Zealand waters.
The loss of females from a species has huge impacts on its breeding success, made even worse by the fact that like all great albatrosses Antipodeans only breed every other year.
On their Auckland Island home, pigs are thought to be responsible for the near total destruction of the species - taking eggs and chicks, while feral cats may also kill some chicks.
Recent studies indicate that increasing ocean temperature in the Tasman Sea could also be having a negative impact on this species, although this needs further investigation.