MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A critically endangered juvenile African penguin, in very poor condition, was rescued at The Point beach on Monday 30 June.
Rescued by members of the Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre (Saprec), the small penguin was immediately rushed to Dr Frans de Graaff of the Hartenbos Animal Hospital to be saved.
De Graaff said he believes the penguin had recently left its nest and might have fallen behind its group before landing up at The Point.
He said the penguin was extremely weak and emaciated when it was brought in and had to be put on a drip.
He said its immune system was also down, and blood tests revealed it had avian malaria.
De Graaff said despite all this, he feels he and his team will be able to save it.
Carol Walton, Saprec's founder, said she expects the penguin to be well enough to leave the animal hospital tomorrow, Friday 4 July, and be transferred to the centre where it will start its journey to a full recovery and its eventual rewilding.
Dr Frans de Graaff examines the penguin. Photo: Sister Stefanie de Graaff
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