"We go to the Snares. We don't go to the Snares. We go to the Snares. We don't go to the Snares. We go to the Snares. We don't go to the Snares. We go to the Snares. We don't go to the Snares. We go to the Snares. We don't go to the Snares. We go...... etc."

Rather sooner than later our daisy runs out of leaves. That means that after all these weeks of tough and endless negociations with DOC over the issue of wether we are permitted to go to the Snares or not, it seems the ultimate decission draws near. Don't get me wrong... there have been a couple of decissions but everything got revised shortly afterwards. It's all a matter of "Benefits & Costs" for the Snares Project:

On one hand, we have the Snares penguins that are rated as a "vulnerable" species by the IUCN and about whose biology we don't know much at all. However, their population numbers appear to be stable, but if we intend to postpone research until we find dramatic population declines, it may well be too late. On the other hand we have the Snares with their status as "Minimum Impcat Islands". Generally speaking, nobody should hop around on the islands - not even scientists - since the whole system of the Snares is very fragile and any human impact may result in irreversible damage to flora and/or fauna.

All in all, I would say, that we have a patt situation between "Benefits & Costs": nothing really outweighs the other - it's important to study the penguins, but its also important to keep the Snares as undisturbed as possible. DOC thinks the "Costs" are too high and would rather have us do some work on Firodland Crested penguins; however, the probably higher priority to do research lies with the Snares Crested penguins - and the "Benefits" of this research are inarguably obvious. I try to maintain a neutral position, as I am not directly involved in the negociation processes - what else should I do? I just keep on wandering along the Oamaru coast, taking pictures of shags and follow the progress of building the new grand stand at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony (OBPC). And of course, keep on waiting for D day...

Here's another small anecdote about living in a 'penguin scientist house'. Yesterday it was again my turn to cook up some dinner for Dave and me. I opened the freezer and browsed the poor variety of frozen groceries for an potential evening meal. Pizza? Nah, had that two days ago. Frozen peas? Not my favourite and hardly enough for the two of us. Ice cream? Hmm, maybe for afters. Penguin Pie? No, too much hassle...

"Hey Dave", I called from the kitchen. "There's still that dead penguin in the freezer!"

"Blimey...", Dave replied.

The bird was found dead in front of its nest box two days ago. The exact cause of death is unknown and the casualty's dissection is pending. Until then the birds rests on ice. Or under the Pizza respectively.