07/08/2012
IN NEED: A Greenbay Bird Rescue Trust volunteer holds the
little blue penguin that needs more food before he can be released into
the wild.
The unnamed penguin has been staying at the NZ Bird Rescue Charitable Trust in Green Bay, where they have run out of fish to fatten up the seabird so he can return to the sea.
It's the sole survivor from 20 penguins which were brought into the centre injured and malnourished last year.
The penguin has been at the trust for five months, after being found on Muriwai Beach with an injury from a boat propeller.
Volunteer Stacey Teague said the penguin was lovable despite being a bit snappy.
''He's a bit of a character. He's supposed to be in hibernation so he's a bit grumpy.''
Trust manager Lyn MacDonald said she's been able to keep the spirited penguin alive but they do not have enough sprats to get it fat and moulting.
''We've had to resort to fillets but it needs to eat whole fish with the bones and everything.
''They need to get really fat, it generally happens in April and they hide in little burrows for six weeks just living off their body fat while they grow nice new feathers.''
Until the penguin grows waterproof feathers it can't go anywhere.
MacDonald said both the Green Bay trust and Tamaki Bird Rescue are struggling to get enough fish to feed the seabirds they look after.
''It's been very hard to get the fish and we're running out. We've had offers of money by a few people but we can't buy the fish we need. We can't feed seabirds any substitutes - they need fish.''
Tamaki Bird Rescue volunteer Corina Hooper only has a week or two worth of fish left to feed the pied shag colony she cares for. The seabirds can't be fed bait because of what it's treated with.
MacDonald said rescue centres rely on recreational fishers to keep their injured birds fed.
''We had great fishermen but they've damaged their backs and can't get out there.
''They would get us small catches but it was regular and kept us going.''
A few unusual visitors to the centre didn't help.
''About two weeks ago we had two albatrosses and an Antarctic fulmar and an Antarctic petral come in and they're big birds which eat a lot of fish.
''We had some prions and other seabirds too which really wiped us.''
MacDonald is encouraging Aucklanders to grab their bait catchers and fishing lines and help feed the birds.
''Even if you're out and you get a few more sprats than you need to just put a few in the freezer for us.''
Bring fish donations to NZ Bird Rescue Charitable Trust at 74 Avonleigh Rd, Green Bay or call 8169219.
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