Plett penguins waddle their way to freedom

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The recent penguin release in Plettenberg Bay appeared like a game of "red light, green light" as the four little marine birds hesitantly made their way down Lookout Beach to freedom.

The juvenile African penguins had a few stops and starts on their way towards the waves on Saturday 10 September, very similar to the popular children's game, before deciding to make a beeline for the water.

They were encouraged by a crowd of animal lovers who came out to witness the event - one that has become very popular among residents and visitors over the years.

The four penguins were rescued over the past few months along the area's coastline and were suffering from a variety of ailments including parasites and injuries.

This was just one of many such releases over the past four years that are part of an effort by various conservationists including the Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre, the Nature's Valley Trust, Wessa beach stewards, CapeNature, the Orca Foundation and BirdLife Plettenberg Bay, to counter dwindling African penguin numbers.

Many penguins wash up on Plettenberg Bay and surrounding beaches due to factors such as dehydration, exhaustion, arrested moult or illness.

They are then nursed back to health and, after an all-clear, are released back into the wild.

A number of people pitched up to witness the release. Photo: Mike Bridgeford

This time around, one of the penguins has been nicknamed Runner - a juvenile penguin from Nature's Valley that was admitted on 8 July. It weighed 2, 26 kg and suffered from a heavy presence of internal parasites. He was nicknamed Runner, because he is always first to run to get his fish at feeding time.

Then there is Greenie from the Central Beach area, another juvenile that was admitted 10 days later. He only weighed 2,18kg and had the same issues as Runner.

He was dubbed Greenie because on arrival, he received a green tag to identify him. His rehabilitation team said Greenie always makes sure he kept up with Runner when it's feeding time, and he is not shy to gobble up someone else's fish if they drop it.

The third penguin making its way down the beach was Redman from Plettenberg Bay, that was admitted on 31 July. He was in very poor condition and very cold after heavy seas and bad weather. His weight on arrival was 2,08kg.

"Redman is definitely the baby of the three in terms of personality, but he loves to swim and is always in the water, diving and snorkelling," the team said.

The fourth penguin, named Elvis Blue, came from the Buffalo Bay area. He had a very bad foot injury which healed well. He also had an ulcer and eye penetration injury. The team said that it was healing, but they were doubtful if he would regain 100% sight in that eye.

The four rescued African penguins make their way down Lookout Beach. Photo: Mike Bridgeford