A New Zealand Pengiun that washed up on a beach in Australia has been released back into the wild. The Fiordland penguin was found struggling by the rocks in the shallow water of Kennett River 170 km from Melbourne. The penguin was first spotted in July 2019, shortly after which it was rescued by the marine response unit and taken to Melbourne zoo. It was fed with vital nutrients and fluids until it gained the health to be given more complex foods, reported the zoo's official vet, Dr Miceal Lynch. The doctor also said the penguin was eating 20-25% of its body weight. “Once the penguin reached its healthy weight it was sent to Phillip Island Nature Parks to build up its swimming muscles to get it ready for the journey home to New Zealand” the doctor added. The penguin was released this month to start its journey back home. 

The Penguin was taken to Melbourne Zoo

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Doctors hope the penguin breeds back home

“We are hoping that it will go back to New Zealand and breed.” Lynch also said that they have put up a small chip in the bird. “We put a microchip into the bird so if it does turn up back in New Zealand one day and someone reads that microchip we will be very happy.” the doctor said. Melbourne lies at the outer edge of penguin breeding grounds. “The species is known to forage over thousands of kilometres and we are within the edge of the range of this bird, So it is not out of the question that we would see the birds here, but they are certainly a long way from home.” the doctor revealed.

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Penguin colony discovered in New Zealand

Scientists recently discovered a penguin colony in Otago Soth Island in New Zealand. In 2014 another penguin that was nicknamed ‘Miss Simpson’ was found at a beach in Newzealand 2,000 km from its home. 
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