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title: "An aerial census of Antipodean Albatrosses on Disappointment Island reveals 453 breeding pairs"
---

# An aerial census of Antipodean Albatrosses on Disappointment Island reveals 453 breeding pairs

An aerial census by helicopter in January 2014 has revealed that [Disappointment Island](http://www.acap.aq/index.php/en/news/latest-news/1724-acap-breeding-site-no-69-disappointment-island-auckland-islands-home-of-the-white-capped-albatross) in New Zealand’s Auckland Islands supported 452 breeding pairs of Gibson’s Antipodean Albatrosses *Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni*.

 ![](https://acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/Disappointment_Island_by_Barry_Baker.jpg)

 Disappointment Island, photograph by Barry Baker

 ![](https://acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Antipodean/Antipodean Albatross Adams Island Colin ODonnell s.jpg)

 Gibson's Antipodean Albatross on the Auckland Islands

 Photograph by Colin O'Donnell

 The photographic survey was undertaken on behalf of the [New Zealand Department of Conservation](http://www.doc.govt.nz/) by [Latitude 42](http://www.latitude42.com.au/), an environmental consultancy based in Tasmania.

 [http://www.latitude42.com.au/](http://www.latitude42.com.au/)[Click here](http://www.acap.aq/index.php/en/news/latest-news/1753-second-aerial-survey-of-wandering-albatrosses-on-south-africa-s-prince-edward-island-undertaken-last-month) to read of helicopter-bourne aerial censuses of another species of great albatross, the Wandering *D. exulans* of South Africa's uninhabited Prince Edward Island. 

 **Reference:**

 Baker, G.B. & Jensz, K. 2014.  *[Gibson’s albatross at Disappointment Island - analysis of aerial photographs. Report prepared for Department of Conservation](http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-conservation-services/reports/gibsons-albatross-disappointment-island-2014-draft-report.pdf).*   [Kettering]: Latitude 42 Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd.   7 pp.

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 June 2014*