Cape Kidnappers
North Island, New Zealand
Cape Kidnappers, a sandstone promontory on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, gets its name from an event that transpired during Captain James Cook’s first voyage.1 2 A group of Māori tried to abduct one of the servants from Cook’s ship, but he was able to swim to safety after the crew opened fire on the attempted kidnappers’ canoe.3
Today, Cape Kidnappers is home to the world’s largest colony of gannets, which are seabirds.
References
- Cape Kidnappers. 100% Pure New Zealand. Accessed 6 Dec. 2012.
- Cape Kidnappers Gannet Reserve. Department of Conservation. Accessed 6 Dec. 2012.
- Grant-Taylor, Thomas Ludovic. Kidnappers, Cape. Te Ara—The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 22 Apr. 2009. Accessed 6 Dec. 2012.
Published 2018-06-18