In a rare occurrence, a malnourished emperor penguin was recently spotted in Western Australia, where wildlife experts are currently caring for it. This marks the first time an emperor penguin has strayed from its habitat in Antarctica to swim over 3,000 kilometers in the Southern Ocean to reach the region.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the male emperor penguin was found on November 1st in Denmark, Western Australia. Denmark is located about 400 kilometers south of Perth, the capital of Western Australia, and 3,400 kilometers away from Antarctica, making it the northernmost point where emperor penguins have been discovered.
A local resident named Aaron Fowler spotted the approximately 1-meter tall emperor penguin while surfing at a beach in Denmark that afternoon. Fowler described seeing a large bird in the water, initially mistaking it for a seabird. However, the penguin kept getting closer to the shore, then stood up and waddled towards them.
Fowler speculated that the penguin displayed an unusual casualness around humans, perhaps thinking they were penguins due to their wetsuits. He said, “There are always wild animals in the sea, but never a penguin.” The children with him were excited to see the penguin but might not have fully grasped the coolness of the situation.
He added, “It tried to slide on its belly in the sand, I guess thinking it was snow. Then it buried its face in the sand before standing up and shaking off all the sand.”
Under normal circumstances, emperor penguins do not appear in Australia. The survival of this species is threatened due to the continuing rise in sea temperatures. The World Wide Fund for Nature estimates that three-quarters of their breeding grounds are easily impacted by changes in sea ice.
Belinda Cannell, a researcher at the University of Western Australia, pointed out that it is the first time in history an emperor penguin has been seen this far north by the sea. This emperor penguin may have arrived with the ocean currents.
She explained, “They tend to follow certain ocean currents. They will find a variety of food there. Thus, these currents may just be flowing further north towards Australia than usual.”
The emperor penguin, now named Gus, has been captured by wildlife rescue personnel from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions in Western Australia and taken into care.
Carol Biddulph, the rescuer, expressed her excitement at caring for the emperor penguin, stating, “It’s just amazing. To be part of this penguin’s journey is an honor for me.”
An adult male emperor penguin can grow up to 1.4 meters in height and weigh 40 kilograms. Gus currently weighs 23 kilograms, leaving room for further growth.
Officials are still evaluating the feasibility of returning Gus to its habitat in Antarctica.
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