The first emperor penguin found in Australia, nicknamed Gus, has been released after spending 20 days in the care of wildlife experts. The bird, malnourished when found on a tourist beach, gained over seven pounds under the care of seabird rehabilitator Carol Biddulph and her husband. The penguin, weighing around 50 pounds and standing at 3 feet, 3 inches tall, was released back into the ocean to allow it to thermoregulate and have a fighting chance of survival. Its gender has not been confirmed.
Biddulph fed the penguin fluids, then slurry, until it was able to eat whole fish. The bird was given a mirror to compensate for its lack of companions. After being released, Biddulph wished Gus luck and encouraged it to continue south. It is unknown how the penguin ended up in Australia from its Antarctic home.
Emperor penguins are the largest of all penguins, with an average height of 3 feet 7 inches. They are known to travel up to almost 1,000 miles on foraging trips that can last up to a month. The team’s efforts have given Gus a chance at survival and a remarkable journey from rescue to release.
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