Little Penguin released from care after falling from the sky at Walkers Beach, Gerroa
Friday, October 25, 2019
Image credit: Jana Schader, WIRES
A Little Penguin has had a lucky escape after falling from the sky at Walkers Beach, Gerroa, near Kiama on the NSW south coast.
The adult female Little Penguin, also known as a Fairy Penguin, came into WIRES’ care after the incident and was successfully released on Thursday, October 25.
Shocked beachgoers initially called WIRES for help on Saturday afternoon, October 19, explaining a small penguin had dropped in front of them as they made their way through bushland towards Walkers Beach.
The Little Penguin is believed to have been dropped by a hungry bird of prey.
Experienced WIRES avian and raptor carer Jana Schader attended the rescue, taking the injured penguin into care.
“Her body condition was perfect except a small puncture wound on the left leg,” explained Jana.
“The puncture wasn’t very deep, so I suspect a bird of prey, probably a White-bellied Sea Eagle, tried to grip her and she slipped out of its grasp once in the air.”
Jana had the Little Penguin in her care for six nights, administering pain relief and antibiotics for five days, under the guidance of Australian Seabird Rescue.
“After a few days I could tell she was ready to go,” said Jana.
“She came into care limping but after three days she was running around and I could tell she just wanted to go.”
The lucky Little Penguin was released at sunrise at Port Kembla Beach on Thursday, October 25.
“The release went perfectly, and she ran right to the ocean.” said Jana.
The release site was chosen with advice from Seabird Rescue, due to the presence of a colony of Little Penguins at Five Islands Reserve, just off the coast, where the Little Penguin most likely came from originally.
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