Southern royal albatross pair preening each other before feeding
Albatrosses are the world's largest seabirds.
They normally breed on remote islands and spend at least 85 percent of their lives at sea, well away from land and human view. Renowned ocean wanderers, they travel vast distances from their breeding grounds to feed. The royal albatross, for example, with its massive wingspan of up to 3.3 metres flies an estimated 190,000 kilometres a year.
Did you know that albatrosses spend most of their lives at sea? Learn more about these magnificient birds in this section.
Here you'll learn the many threats to albatross populations.
Charged with the care and management of albatrosses that are found in New Zealand, DOC is working with the fishing industry and international researchers to tackle the threats facing these ocean wanderers.
Find out some of the ways that you can be involved in albatross conservation efforts.
Chick 500 is the 500th albatross chick to hatch at the Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Head/Pukekura.
The toroa or royal albatross is a graceful giant with a wing span of over three metres. Renowned ocean wanderers, they travel vast distances from their breeding grounds to feed.
Save the Albatross website
On the wings of the albatross - National Geographic website
DOC HOTline - 24 hour emergency number
Phone 0800 DOCHOTline (0800 362 468) to report:
Sick or injured wildlifeWhale or dolphin strandings
