Orphaned penguins recovering after quake
Baby penguins abandoned by their parents after the earthquakes have found a safe haven and all the salmon they can eat.
Two little blue penguins, named ‘‘Aftershock’’ and ‘‘Tremor’’, are being cared for at Ecoworld Picton Aquarium.
It is hoped that the fluffy orphans will soon be well enough to be released back into the wild.
The penguins, which were discovered in two different locations in Marlborough, are living in style at the aquarium, dining on a diet of salmon and barracuda.
Ecoworld director John Reuhman says the penguins have responded well to treatment and are in good health, though one, Tremor, a male, is still underweight.
‘‘Post-earthquake, they’ve been turning up in unusual places and wandering about in broad daylight.
‘‘These little penguins wouldn’t have lasted long before being attacked by a dog or a cat.’’
Tremor was found by tourists near the popular Bob’s Bay walking track in Picton. Aftershock was brought in by a SPCA inspector after being discovered on Rarangi Beach Rd in the small coastal township of Rarangi, just north of Blenheim.
Reuhman says animals at the aquarium have been upset by the big quake and ongoing aftershocks.
‘‘There was a small tidal-type wave in the large tank and the stingray in there went berserk for about 30 hours after the big earthquake.
‘‘Some birds left sitting on their eggs, which of course means they won’t hatch.
‘‘It makes you wonder what’s going on out there; they can definitely sense something’s going on.’’
Both penguin chicks are fed their own body weight in fish each day in a bid to get them fit enough for release.
Ecoworld life science manager Regan Russell has been caring for the birds. He said the job had kept him busy.
‘‘It can be hard not to get attached, but we know that they won’t be staying,’’ he said.
- Fairfax NZ