RSPCA to the rescue for little penguin trapped in a drain

AUSTRALIA – A lost juvenile fairy (little) penguin has found a happy ending, rescued by RSPCA NSW after being found trapped in a stormwater drain in Haberfield, in Sydney’s Inner West.

RSPCA NSW inspectors attended the drain after receiving a report from Inner West locals Josh Pirini and Scott Martin about a lost penguin that was distressed and making “wild noises” when they attempted to pick him up.

The penguin was stuck inside a smaller pipe in the drain, and was washed out with a gush of water, allowing him to be rescued.

Two very important little penguins released back into the wild

Libby Hall and Commanding Officer HMAS Penguin,
Commander Paul Gall, releasing penguins off Fairlight Beach.
Credit: Madeleine Smitham

AUSTRALIA - Two little penguins from the famous Manly colony in New South Wales were released back into the wild this week after being looked after at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital while they underwent their yearly moult.

One penguin, Bernie, was found at Dee Why Point in December weighing just 500 grams, half the normal body weight for a little penguin.

After spending quite a while in the intensive care, she finally put on enough weight to go into her yearly moult. She now has a brand new set of feathers, weighs a kilogram and is ready to rejoin her colony.

Little penguin Bella released back to her mate Lucky

Bella having a final swim at Taronga Wildlife Hospital before
being released. Photo credit: Madeleine Smitham

AUSTRALIA - Little penguin Bella was released back into the wild to her waiting mate Lucky earlier this week after being treated at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital.

Bella was released off Manly's Store Beach by Taronga Wildlife Hospital Manager Libby Hall, Sydney Harbour National Park Ranger Melanie Tyas and volunteer penguin wardens.

Lucky had been seen swimming in the area nearby at twilight, looking for her. Little penguins usually mate for life and as it is breeding season it was important to get the two love-birds back together.

Great, mate! Eight little penguins successfully released into the wild

AUSTRALIA - Fit and healthy and ready to go - an unusually large batch of little penguins raced back into the ocean at Long Reef after a stay at Taronga Zoo's wildlife hospital in Sydney, NSW.

The eight penguins arrived at the hospital in recent weeks, some malnourished from their annual moult and some suffering injuries, including one which had to have a toe amputated after it became entangled in abandoned fishing line.

"It’s been a very busy season this year and we’ve seen a lot more birds than usual," said Libby Hall, Taronga Wildlife Hospital manager.

"We’re hoping it’s because there are more penguins out there this season, but we can’t be sure."

The zoo is caring for a further four birds, which are still not ready for release. Hospital staff had already rehabilitated three penguins which the NSW National Parks Service returned to the water at the Manly colony earlier this month.

"Most of these birds were brought to us by people who saw them in difficulties and took action. The community’s awareness of little penguins and other wildlife is increasing all the time and by acting, they give us the best chance to help the birds through difficult times," said Ms Hall.

"When they come to us, we can keep them safe and feed them so they can return to the ocean when they have finished moulting and weigh about one kilogram."

The birds were once fairly common in Sydney but urban development and domestic pets have placed them under pressure. The colony at Manly is the last remaining on the NSW mainland, with other colonies now located on islands which offer some protection from pressure from humans and domestic pets.

Source
Taronga release rehabilitated little penguins at Long Reef, 13 April 2011, Taronga Conservation Society Australia