Emperor penguin travels over 2,000 miles from Antarctica to Australia in possible first
An emperor penguin has made an extraordinary journey, flying over 2,000 miles from Antarctica to appear on a beach in Australia, marking what may be the first sighting of this species on the continent.
The penguin was first spotted on November 1 at Ocean Beach in Denmark, a locality in Western Australia, by a visitor to the beach, as reported by YSL News through the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Belinda Cannell, a research fellow at the University of Western Australia, stated to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that this sighting could be unprecedented for the continent.
“Tracked emperor penguins have never made it this far,” she mentioned to the news outlet.
Cannell speculated that the penguin might have been following a current in search of food, leading it further north.
Penguin appeared malnourished and is receiving care
The penguin was rescued by local seabird rehabilitator Carol Biddulph, who described in an interview that the bird looked malnourished and its spine was visible when she got to the beach.
“Considering the bird’s condition and the activity on the beach soon after, I thought it was best to bring the bird in,” Biddulph explained.
Biddulph, a registered caregiver with the department, has a special enclosure for penguins, although she usually cares for smaller, local species.
“I never imagined I would ever care for an emperor penguin,” Biddulph said. “It’s such a privilege to be involved in this bird’s journey.”
The department confirmed that their ongoing efforts are centered on rehabilitating the penguin.
Man who saw penguin: ‘Absolutely flawless’
Aaron Fowler recounted to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that he saw the penguin when he headed to Ocean Beach to surf that Friday afternoon.
“It was enormous, much larger than a seabird, and we were thinking, ‘What is that thing coming out of the water?'” Fowler said. “It stood up in the waves and waddled right up to us, an emperor penguin, probably around a meter tall, and it was very friendly.”
He added: “It appeared absolutely flawless.”