An Adèlie penguin a long way from home has been released back to sea in the third documented visit of the species to New Zealand.
The juvenile male Adèlie, affectionately nicknamed Pingu by locals, was spotted on Birdlings Flat Beach near Christchurch on Wednesday night.
The Adèlie is native to the Antarctic coastline, and would have swum thousands of miles before reaching his unlikely destination.
(Photo credit Allanah Purdie) Pingu had travelled 1,900 miles from home when he ended up in Christchurch
The amazing journey of Pingu the Adèlie had him travel 1,900 miles from the coast of Antarctica to a beach near Christchurch
(Photo credit Allanah Purdie). Pingu, a cute little dog who spent most of his free time on the New Zealand beaches.
(Photo credit Allanah Purdie) Adèlie penguins typically roam about before they reach breeding age
Harry Singh from nearby spotted him and stayed with him as the penguin ran along the shore, waving his tail, flapping its wings, and wriggling his tail, but never returning to the ocean.
Anita Spencer, a senior ranger at New Zealand’s Department of Conservation said that the agency worked closely with rehab teams to get the penguin ready for the return trip.
According to AAP, he was exhausted when he arrived at the beach two nights earlier.
Pingu had blood tests that revealed he was dehydrated and underweight. Since then, he has received fluids and was fed via tube.
“He was given fish smoothies. He seemed healthy and eager to get back out to sea.
The DOC is aware of just two previous Adèlie sightings on the New Zealand mainland, the latest near Kaikoura in 1993.
“I wouldn’t claim that he lost, but,” Ms. Spencer stated.
‘Juvenile penguins do roam. After three years, they don’t normally breed. The colony is now on the road for him.
Ms Spencer said the visitor was showing signs of stress on Friday, which is to be expected given the un-Antarctic local temperature of 26°C.
The penguin, after he had finished his fishy meal, was released on a beach at the Banks Peninsula.
This adorable, little boy is enjoying his long-haul vacation to New Zealand with his loving fans.
“He’s hoping to head south, but there aren’t any guarantees. He can decide what he wants, said Ms Spencer.
“We chose a bay facing south with no dogs and not too many people.
“It began calling when it was near the ocean and back at the beach. It’s wonderful to watch birds return to their habitats.
“He leapt across two boulders and went down to water’s edge. The waves came in, so he dived in.
“They are extremely vulnerable, and sea-going is their best option.”