Little penguins returned to ocean after rehab stint

14 Apr 11  by BOEL ERIKSSON

TARONGA Wildlife Hospital has seen an increase in injured little penguins, many of them malnourished or injured by dogs of fishing equipment.
Eight healthy little penguins - the smallest species of penguin - were yesterday returned to the ocean at Long Reef after a rehabilitation stint at the hospital.
The birds arrived at the zoo in recent weeks from as far away as Newcastle and Hawks Nest, malnourished from their annual moult or suffering injuries.
One had to have a toe amputated after it became entangled in abandoned fishing line.
Taronga Wildlife Hospital manager Libby Hall, said they had experienced a very busy season this year.
``We’ve seen a lot more birds than usual,’’ she said.
``We’re hoping it’s because there are more penguins out there this season, but we can’t be sure.’‘
The birds were once fairly common in Sydney but urban development and domestic pets have placed them under pressure.
Hall said most of the birds were brought to the zoo hospital by people who saw them in difficulties and took action.
``The community’s awareness of Little Penguins and other wildlife is increasing all the time and by acting, they give us the best chance to help the birds through difficult times,” she said.
The zoo is caring for a further four birds, which are still not ready for release.
Hospital staff have also rehabilitated three penguins which the NSW National Parks Service returned to the water at the Manly Colony earlier this month.
Little penguins are particularly vulnerable during their annual moult as they can’t return to the water until the new feathers have grown through and waterproofed the birds bodies.
Because they can’t return to the water to fish, they become emaciated and can be attacked by domestic pets, most particularly dogs.
Hall said staff at the hospital could keep them safe and feed them so they could return to the ocean when they had finished moulting and weighed about one kilo.
Despite being small, Little Penguins are incredible swimmers with young birds recorded making journeys of over 1200 km.
People can help Little Penguins at beaches by keeping dogs on leashes, not leaving rubbish including fishing tackle around and protecting plants and trees at the shore.
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