Penguins in Oamaru Harbor, New Zealand, have been crossing a very busy road to get to the shore for more than twenty years. You can see the problem right away. These birds usually only grow to about a foot high and a speeding vehicle will not always see them in time to hit the brakes. When drivers do see them and stop, it creates traffic jams in the area. The town has tried many ways over the years to get the penguins to take a different route but they just wouldn’t cooperate. The problem has now been solved as an 80 foot tunnel has been built under the roadway. It opened up on November 3rd and it comes complete with lighting so they can find their way. Officials were still concerned however because all of their previous attempts to fix the problem didn’t work. So they set up cameras at each end to see if the penguins would actually use the tunnel. It turns out they love it and use it every day. It took about three months to construct the tunnel and many people in the community donated time and materials to keep the cost down. Everyone is happy with the solution that was a long time in the making, especially the penguins.
**A video camera was set up to see if the penguins would actually use the tunnel. It turns out they love the safe passage and are making good use of it.**