Gus, the emperor penguin found on Ocean Beach last month, was released into the Southern Ocean on November 20.

Gus was found emaciated on November 1 weighing 21.5kg and taken into the care of wildlife rehabilitator Carol Biddulph, who with the help of her husband Graham, restored the bird to good health.

Carol reported the bird had gained 3.5kg in her care and, with warmer weather coming, time was right to return Gus to the ocean so it could thermoregulate itself.

After passing veterinary health checks, Gus was released from a Parks and Wildlife service vessel off the South Coast.

Vet Shey Rogers and wildlife officer Ian Wheeler guided the release, with Carol and Graham also on board.

The care, attention and efforts of Carol and Graham gave the Antarctic bird, found thousands of kilometres outside of its home range and in a different climate, a fighting chance of survival.

Emperor penguins have been known to cover up to 1600km on foraging trips that last up to a month.

While in the care of the Biddulphs, Gus would stand next to a mirror interacting with the image which was important to the wellbeing of the sociable bird.

Carol said that in 25 years of rehabilitating wildlife and when rearing birds from chicks she had learned that they knew exactly what to do when released.

She was certain Gus was hardwired to know which direction to take to get home.

Ian Wheeler described Gus’s entry into the ocean as a textbook release after a not-too-rough boat trip.

After the cage was opened Gus jumped into the water like he’d been hanging out to get there.

“He just knew where he was supposed to be, didn’t give a backward glance and just disappeared,” Carol said.

Sightings of emperor penguins can be reported to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 5 December 2024.
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