Media release
24 April 2009

Protecting the little blue penguin

Just as little blue penguins, or korora, are a familiar sight for Wellingtonians, injured penguins are a familiar patient for the city’s vets and animal rescue organisations.

Earlier this week the Wellington Zoo veterinary team released a penguin after a week of treatment for a foot injury and blood loss.

Dr Katja Geschke, Manager Conservation and Veterinary Science says that, with the completion of the Zoo’s new animal hospital—The Nest—in November, her team can expect to rehabilitate many more of a vulnerable species whose population is declining.

Dr Geschke says that limited space and facilities in the current hospital has meant that the treatment of wildlife like this penguin in infrequent, but a task that Zoo vets look forward to with the completion of The Nest.

The world’s smallest penguin is particularly vulnerable as it lives, and nests, in populated parts of the coastline.

Zoo vet resident Janelle Ward says that the penguin was in a weak and underweight condition with badly torn webbing on one foot. With negative tests for blood parasites and disease, the bird was treated with fluid therapy, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Ms Ward says the penguin proved to be an excellent patient. “He did very well in hospital, was very bright and swimming well in his pool, and his foot healed nicely.”

She says that other penguins are not so fortunate with dog attacks, busy roads, and coastal pollution detrimental to their survival. The disturbance of nesting sites is also one of the biggest threats to the species. “Little blues are faithful to their nesting sites, normally for life, and increased coastal development has really impacted on their breeding and chances of survival.”

In December, the time when The Nest will be ready to treat penguins alongside other native wildlife and the Zoo’s 500 animals, Wellington’s penguin population will be raising hatchlings.

“Chicks leave the nests up to March so there will be fledged juveniles around at this time of year, and we think the penguin we most recently treated is a recently-fledged juvenile,” Ms Ward says.

She says that the best thing people can do to protect penguins are to follow Department of Conservation (DoC) guidelines and to call the local DoC office for advice if you see an injured or ill penguin during the day.

Wellington Zoo is a charitable trust principally funded by the Wellington City Council

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