New Zealand builds safe underpass tunnel for penguins

Oamaru, New Zealand, is home for a colony of blue penguins. But the little creatures often have to cross a busy road to get from the harbor to their nests, which is a dangerous way for them.

The local council in cooperation with researchers and local residents built an underpass to keep the penguins from the danger. Now the penguins can waddle through the tunnel without a risk, Joinfo.com reports.

“The blue penguins are happily taking to their new underpass – the first of its kind in New Zealand! This underpass helps provide safe passage for the penguins from the harbour to their nests across the busy road. To monitor the use of the passage, we set up a few cameras. With a little light at the end of the tunnel to guide the way, the little blues just waddle on through!” said Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, organization behind the initiative on Facebook.

So, the penguins seem to be pretty happy. It is the first time that a tunnel was built for animals, so the team was not sure if it would work. But the footage shows that it’s a great success.