In an unexpected turn of events, the reserved penguin emerges victorious in New Zealand's avian election, having waged a campaign dominated by humorous memes and distinctive body art.
Wellington, New Zealand (AP): Loud, stinky, and timid, New Zealand's avian triumphant for the year is none other than.
The hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, claimed the crown in New Zealand's intense avian competition on Monday, fostering optimism among supporters of the endangered bird that recognition from its victory might induce a turnaround in the species' population.
The campaign for the annual Bird of the Year vote avoided the foreign intervention and corruption allegations that marred previous polls. Instead, competitors in the long-standing contest garnered support by means of the usual tactics—spreading memes, securing celebrity endorsements, and even going as far as getting tattoos to display their loyalty.
More than 50,000 individuals cast their votes, 300,000 fewer than the previous year. John Oliver, a British late-night host, propelled a humorous campaign for the pūteketeke, a "deeply peculiar bird" known to consume and regurgitate its own feathers, resulting in a landslide win.
The number of votes received this year represented 10% of New Zealand's population—a country where nature is ubiquitous and adoration for native birds is ingrained in children from a young age.
Emma Rawson, who advocated for the fourth-placed ruru, a small, mournful-sounding brown owl, conveyed her sentiments: "Birds are our spirit and soul." New Zealand has no indigenous mammals apart from bats and marine species, making its birds, many of which are endangered, the center of attention.
The hoiho, meaning "noise shouter" in the Māori language, emerged victorious this year. It is a reticent bird, believed to be the world's rarest penguin, with its population declining by a staggering 78% over the past 15 years.
"This attention is aligning with a perfect moment. This iconic penguin is disappearing from Aotearoa before our very eyes," expressed Nicola Toki, Forest & Bird's CEO, using the Māori name for New Zealand. Despite conservation efforts on land, Toki noted that the birds are succumbing to drowning in nets and starvation in the sea.
The hoiho campaign garnered endorsements from renowned figures such as English primatologist Jane Goodall, Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan, and two former New Zealand prime ministers.
Individuals aspiring to manage bird campaigns this year represented a diverse array of organizations, ranging from power companies to high school students. The hoiho campaign was orchestrated by a coalition of wildlife groups, a museum, a brewery, and a rugby team from Dunedin, the city where the bird resides on mainland New Zealand, making it the most powerful campaign of the 2024 vote.
"I feel like we were the underdog," Emily Bull, a spokesperson for the second-place campaign for the karure—a small, gothic black robin confined to New Zealand's Chatham Island—explained.
Victoria University of Wellington's students' association spearheaded the karure's campaign, sparking heated debates on campus when the university magazine launched a rival campaign for the kororā, or little blue penguin.
The discord prompted a meme war and saw students donning bird costumes. Even tattoos were obtained. When the university magazine's campaign won endorsements from city officials and the local zoo, Bull feared for the black robin's campaign.
The karure, which has experienced a real-life revival since the 1980s courtesy of conservation efforts, yielded a runner-up finish overall.
As Rawson wrapped up her campaign for the ruru, she, too, turned directly to the people, courting votes at a local dog park. The seasoned campaign manager, who has coordinated the bids for other birds in past years, was delighted to secure fourth place in the poll, her best result to date.
"I have never partaken in human political campaigns before," Rawson admitted, attributing her involvement to the funds and awareness generated through the campaigns. This year, she indicated, the campaign was more subdued.
"There's been no international interference, even though it was actually quite entertaining," she recalled, referencing Oliver's high-profile campaign.
The election also witnessed controversies beyond foreign interference allegations. While anyone worldwide can vote, Forest & Bird now demands that electors verify their ballots after foreign tampering plagued the contest in the past. In 2018, Australian pranksters submitted hundreds of fraudulent votes in favor of the shag. In 2019, Forest & Bird issued clarifications when a flurry of votes from Russia seemed to originate from genuine bird enthusiasts.
Although campaigns are fierce, managers described the tactics employed as more akin to scripted wrestling matches rather than divisive political contests.
"Sometimes people intend to post content that’s rather confrontational. They’ll always message you and ask if it's okay. That’s when you'll know it's going to be beefy," Bull explained. "The community is truly remarkable. It's incredibly heartwarming."
Following the intense competition, news outlets worldwide reported on the victory of the hoiho, sparking interest in travel to New Zealand to witness this endangered species. Due to the success of the hoiho's campaign, several travel agencies have introduced specialized tours focused on birdwatching and conservation, attracting eco-tourists from around the globe.
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