Auckland: A wildlife clinic in Auckland has urged the dimming of city lights on cloudy nights to safeguard native seabirds. BirdCare Aotearoa, a veterinary hospital dedicated to treating injured seabirds, highlighted the impact of urban light pollution, particularly from prominent landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and Sky Tower, on disorienting juvenile birds. This disorientation often results in injuries or the birds becoming grounded.

According to Anadolu Agency, Catriona Robertson, a staff member at the hospital, explained that these incidents occur most frequently on overcast or rainy nights when the moon is obscured, and city lights reflect off the clouds. She noted that seabirds, mistaking these reflections for natural light sources such as the moon, often crash-land, thinking they are heading towards a guiding light.

Robertson further elaborated that seabirds depend on high vantage points, such as cliffs, to take flight. When they become grounded in urban environments, it poses significant challenges for them to become airborne again. After crash-landing, they may sustain injuries, lose their waterproofing, and struggle to find food.

The clinic treats numerous juvenile petrels, including the nationally vulnerable black petrel. The report also indicated that studies in New Zealand and other countries have shown the flicker and blue spectrum of LED lights are particularly attractive to seabirds, exacerbating the issue.