Penguin to be released in a few weeks

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The king penguin which arrived on Second Beach in Dana Bay on 24 January, will be released in a few weeks.

It is still being cared for at the Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre (SAPREC) at Mossdustria, outside Mossel Bay.

Rare

King penguins live on the sub-Antarctic islands and it is rare to find them here.

SAPREC founder Carol Walton said the bird was still moulting and was being fed 15 to 20 pilchards a day.

"Penguins lose a lot of weight when they are moulting."

She said the penguin had had tick bite fever and was anaemic when it arrived at SAPREC. At that time, a range of tests were performed to see if the penguin was healthy.

Good condition

Now the penguin is in good condition, but just needs fattening up. It is not yet eating full meals.

It is thought that it is a young penguin.

Walton said that when the penguin had finished moulting, it would be released on the beach again. It is believed this will be over the next few weeks.

Moulting

It is uncertain exactly when it will finish moulting.

Veterinarian, Dr Frans de Graaff, who assists SAPREC with the rehabilitation of birds, visits the bird regularly to check on its health.

SAPREC and De Graaff have not had a king penguin in their care before. It is uncertain why the penguin swam thousands of kilometres to Mossel Bay.