LITTLE BATTLERS PADDLE OUT

THEY arrived at Sydney’s Taronga Wildlife Hospital with all sorts of woes, but now five little penguins have returned to the ocean.

The penguins were released into Manly’s Shelly Beach yesterday morning after being treated for conditions including dehydration, a fishing hook injury and a broken foot.

The flightless birds were delivered to the zoo over the past two months from as far as Newcastle, Maroubra and Bondi, and are among 1500 native animals cared for by Taronga vets each year.

Pictures: TOBY ZERNA Taronga Wildlife Hospital manager Libby Hall (main, right) releases five little penguins back into the ocean at Shelly Beach, Manly, after nursing them back to health.