A lucky tawaki (Fiordland crested penguin) has been returned to the wild near Hokitika, after a long recovery.
The rare bird was found underweight, with chest injuries and missing feathers, in Scarborough, Ōtautahi / Christchurch on 14 August.
The female tawaki was taken to Christchurch Penguin Rehabilitation to recover, said Craig Alexander, Mahaanui biodiversity supervisor at Te Papa Atawhai / Department of Conservation (DoC).
"Based on the marks on the penguin’s chest, we think it’s likely she had a run-in with a shark or other large predator and made a narrow escape," he added.
The tawaki recovered in rehab for four-and-a-half months, fattening up and regrowing her feathers.
Kristina from Christchurch Penguin Rehabilitation said the tawaki had two wounds, areas of damaged feathers and inflamed skin.
"The South Island Wildlife Hospital made two attempts to remove the damaged feathers, to encourage new growth, but this was only partly successful."
Tawaki, like other penguins, need a full coat of feathers to be completely waterproof and help them survive in the wild.
“The only option was to wait for the natural annual moult, which finally started before Christmas," said Kristina, after it developed an appetite and gained some weight.
“Now all the feathers have grown back, and she has a beautiful new coat."
She said the penguin was eating up to 800g of fish a day.
"Without the support from King Salmon and Akaroa Salmon, it would have been difficult to get fish of the right size.”
Alexander said the tawaki was a long way from home when found in August.
"Tawaki colonies are in South Westland and Stewart Island."
He said Air New Zealand flew the penguin over to Hokitika to be released closer to its normal habitat, on Tuesday this week.
DoC's fauna technical advisor Cassie Mealey was at Hokitika airport to pick up the tawaki.
"She drew quite the crowd at the small airport with people very interested in her story.”
The penguin was taken to the beach to be released, and "bolted out" of her cage, Mealey said.
"She then became a bit shy, perhaps realising she was in an entirely unfamiliar place."
"With some encouragement she ran into the ocean, diving under waves and swimming nearby happily before disappearing."
Mealey said about a month ago on December 13, two other tawaki were released together from Hokitika Beach, after washing ashore separately.
“When found, the birds - an adult and juvenile – were skinny, exhausted, missing their waterproof coating on the feathers, and one had lacerations to its flippers."
Mealey said they returned to the wild after four weeks of recovery.
Tawaki, also spelled tawhaki (Fiordland crested penguin), are only found in Aotearoa and they're declining in number.
It's a taonga species and one of the rarest penguins in the country, with only about 2500 to 3000 breeding pairs in the wild.
Adults stand about 60cm tall with a distinctive yellow crest on their heads.
Key threats they face include human disturbances on the beach or shoreline, dogs, and other introduced predators such as stoats and cats.
Climate change and fishing bycatch are also major issues, while there are also concerns over increased tourism disturbing breeding birds.
If you spot a sick or injured penguin in the wild, call DoC any time of day on 0800 362 468.
Tips to help our penguins:
- Leave penguins alone in the wild.
- Don't feed penguins, even if sick or wasting.
- Try not to disturb nests - they can be hidden from view in rainforest, coastal bushes, sea caves, or even under boulders.
- Use proper access ways to get to the beach to avoid nesting birds - don't walk over dunes or plants.
- Don't drive on riverbeds or only stay to formed tracks in case nests are there.
- Don't leave old fishing lines in the water.
- Only take dogs to permitted areas.
- Get your dog trained in 'avian awareness'.
- Put dogs on leashes around penguin areas and nests.
- Learn the 'Lead the Way' programme on how to protect coastal wildlife.
- If you find penguins dead or injured, call DoC (0800 362 468).
- If you find a sick penguin at risk of being attacked by dogs or other predators, take it to a local bird rescue centre or call DoC (0800 362 468).
- If you see wildlife being harassed by people or predators, call DoC (0800 362 468).
- Trap pests on your own property (rats, hedgehogs, possums, etc).
- Volunteer with your local pest control group.
- Get kids or schools involved in pest control, trapping and hunting.
- Donate time or money to help penguin protection groups.
- For more information, head to Predator Free 2050's website.
