PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A daring rescue of a juvenile African penguin in Plett recently highlighted the importance of dealing with marine animals in trouble in the correct way.
The tiny penguin was found stuck on rocks at Kettle Beach in the Keurbooms area on Sunday 6 November, being pummelled by rough seas.
The crew from the Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre came to the little marine bird's rescue, scooping the animal off the rocks and bringing it to safety.
The team, led by Mandy Freeman, had to brave the rough sea conditions and incoming tide to reach the penguin, that fortunately did not put up a fight against his rescuers.
When the penguin was finally brought to safety, Freeman said they found that it was severely underweight and weak. "A juvenile penguin is only deemed healthy enough to be released when it weighs about 2,8kg. This little one only weighed 1,2kg when we found it," Freeman said.
It was also severely dehydrated.
A visit to the Robberg Veterinary Clinic revealed that the rescued penguin suffered from babesia, a parasite that infects red blood cells and is transmitted by ticks.
Medication
Freeman said the penguin is on medication and will be returning to the vet for a checkup this week to ensure that the medication is working. For the past week the penguin had been in the centre's high care unit, but it was recently deemed strong enough to be introduced to two other rescued penguins receiving rehabilitation before eventual release.
Freeman said once the latest addition to their facility was strong and healthy enough, it would likely be released back into the wild with the other two.
She said the little penguin's rescue highligh-ted the need for more public education when it comes to stranded marine animals. Freeman explained that the penguin had washed up on the beach and passers-by initially placed it back in the water.
"It is never advised to place a stranded animal back in the water. There is usually a good reason for them to have washed up. They are either sick or injured and releasing them could be fatal," Freeman said.
She added that fortunately the penguin made it onto nearby rocks again and other concerned beachgoers alerted them. She urged beachgoers to keep the local marine animal stranding network number handy for such incidents.
"We urge people to remain with the animal until the team arrives and to try and send a pin location." The Plett Stranding Network number is 079 463 4837.
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