Penguin Swims For 4000 Miles And Ends Up On The Beach
Last month, black and white emperor penguin went on its journey from Antarctic.
Trip took almost a month.
Two days ago, swimming for more than 4000 miles it ended on sandy beaches of New Zealand.
The most probable cause may have been searching for squid and krill.
It was first spotted by Christine Wilton: “It was out of this world to see it. It was this glistening white thing standing up on the sand and I thought I was seeing things.” Last penguin that visited New Zealand was 44 years ago.
Conservationists estimate it to be about ten months old.
The Emperor Penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species. It has the lifespan of 20 years in the wild, although observations suggest that some individuals may live to 50 years of age. They are the toughest of all the species, the only ones able to reproduce during the Antarctic winter, when temperatures can drop to minus 50 C.
Today, biodiversity program manager Peter Simpson said the penguin was lethargic, and its behavior was markedly different.
“This morning when we checked it, it was still alive on the beach but it appears its condition has deteriorated a bit” Simpson said.
The penguin had been eating sand since it arrived which might be an effort to cool itself down. Penguins normally eat snow if they get too hot.
A team from Wellington Zoo transported the penguin in a container full of ice this afternoon and are positive about its recovery.
Vet Lisa Argilla hopes it will eventually be able to go back home.
Filed Under: Animal & Plant Life
