Pitter patter of penguin paws
PLETTENBERG BAY - With a little herding here, a quick pick up there and some encouragement on the side, four rehabilitated juvenile African penguins made their way down Lookout Beach in Plettenberg Bay and back into the wild where they belong.
The four little marine birds were released on 25 November. The regular releases form part of concerted efforts by local conservationists to boost the dwindling Southern African penguin population and are a highlight ht for residents and visitors.
'Double trouble' ouble'
The four penguins were rescued along the coastline over the past few months.
They were suffering from a variety of ailments, including parasites and d injuries, and were nursed back to health at the Tenikwa wa Wildlife Rehabilitation on and Awareness Centre.
The first two of the group that arrived at Tenikwa were Merlot, found in Nature's
Valley, and Bumble, found in Buffalo Bay. Both arrived on 9 May and were referred to by staff as "double trouble".
Merlot weighed 1,7kg and needed to be treated for babesia, a blood parasite similar to tick bite fever. The team said he was keen to eat but needed comfort and warmth until he started feeling a bit better.
Bumble weighed 1,6kg and was admitted due to an avian malaria infection. He was quite weak and wasn't keen on eating, but within a couple of days of being on medication, his appetite returned.
"Merlot and Bumble soon developed a lovely bond," the Tenikwa team said. "They got to spend their days in the little hospital pool until they were strong enough to be moved to the main pool. And now, with Merlot weighing 2,8kg 2 and Bumble weighing weigh 3kg, they are ready to be moved to the biggest b pool in
the world." w
Buffalo Bay babies Smurf, found in i the Buffalo Bay B area, arrived a the following fo week with w an eye ulcer ulc and avian malaria. mala "This Thi little guy was really real weak, weighing 1,65kg. 1 Once they started him on his medication routine he h turned around within 36 hours and quickly became quite a feisty little penguin. He had a massive appetite and if given the opportunity to steal a fish he certainly would. He also weighed 3kg at release.”
The final penguin to arrive at the centre on 6 July, Maya, was also found in Buffalo
Bay. The team said aid he only weighed 1,1kg. kg
"This 'little one' had us really concerned as he was so weak and couldn't stand upright. Whenever we went to him to give him his medication he would snuggle in and didn't want to be on his own."
Eight days later he was ready for the centre's big pool and other penguins. He weighed 2,72kg when he was released.
Uncertain youngsters
During the release, the Tenikwa team explained why penguins might be hesitant to dash towards the waves. They said that usually there would be an adult with juveniles during a release, and that the adults guided the younger penguins towards the water.
This time around all four were juveniles. Just as predicted, the four did not move when their enclosure's gate opened. They had to be herded out and eventually picked up by the team and taken towards the water's edge. From there they were guided into the water. As soon as the penguins realised the ocean was waiting beyond the waves, they picked up speed and swam away.
Dwindling penguin numbers
Steve Serfontein, chairperson of BirdLife Plettenberg Bay, said Saturday's release was the 13th since the initiative was started
in 2017. About 114 penguins have been released back into the wild since.
Serfontein stressed the importance of such efforts, saying that of the breeding penguin numbers in Southern Africa in the early 1900s, only 2% are left. "At this rate these penguins could become extinct by 2026," Serfontein said.
He added that the decline was as a result of egg harvesting, guano harvesting – leaving the penguins without proper nesting areas – as well as overfishing that results in fewer food sources for the penguins.
Their release is part of an initiative by different local environmental groups including the Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre, the Nature's Valley Trust, Wessa beach stewards, CapeNature, the Orca Foundation and BirdLife Plettenberg Bay, supported by Robberg Vet and various other groups.