PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS -  Backman’s journey from an injured, traumatized penguin to a successful release into the wild is a heartwarming tale of resilience, teamwork, and love. His story reflects the tremendous efforts of the Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre, the staff, volunteers and veterinary experts who worked together to heal not only his body but his spirit as well.

Early struggles
Backman arrived at the Tenikwa in June 2022 as a young, blue penguin, with a severe back injury likely caused by a boat propeller. The injury was deep and complicated, leading to multiple surgeries, including one to repair his wound, followed by shaving a large portion of his back to facilitate healing. During his recovery, it became clear that the trauma had left Backman not only physically wounded but also emotionally scarred. He developed an intense fear of water and fish, which are essential for any penguin's survival.

Overcoming fear with care
The rehabilitation team at Tenikwa worked tirelessly to rebuild Backman's trust. Slowly, they introduced him to shallow water, then gradually deeper waters, until one day, he dove into the pool on his own. This was a monumental step in his recovery, as penguins need to be comfortable in the water for their well-being.

Laser therapy and moult
Backman’s journey was further supported by Tasmyn Gouws, a vet physiotherapist, who began laser light therapy in July 2022 to aid the healing process and help with feather regrowth. However, Backman’s first moult would be critical to see if his feathers would regrow over the scar, as waterproofing is essential for penguins before release.

A special bond
In November 2022, Happy Feet, another penguin in need of rehabilitation, arrived at Tenikwa. Happy Feet had a fishing line embedded in her face, preventing her from eating normal-sized fish. She was starving and unable to eat until the rehabilitation team began feeding her smaller fish. Happy Feet and Backman quickly formed a bond, spending much of their time together. They became inseparable, and their bond only deepened over time, a connection that would play a significant role in their eventual release.

Challenges and progress
By November 2023, it was clear that Backman was not ready for release due to his injury and ongoing recovery. However, his relationship with Happy Feet became even more significant. As they were now a bonded pair, releasing one without the other would be traumatic. After consulting with the vet team, it was decided that Happy Feet would remain with Backman to avoid further stress.
Backman’s moult, which had started in December 2023, was a long waiting game. After 18 days, he finally grew a full set of adult feathers, regaining the waterproofing necessary for survival in the wild.

Unexpected reproductive behavior
In July 2024, Backman and Happy Feet started gathering pebbles, sticks and shells to build a nest in their enclosure. The rehabilitation staff realized that the pair had likely become a bonded couple, and their natural instinct to breed had kicked in. As a result, the original plan to release them in Plettenberg Bay was no longer feasible. A new plan was quickly devised to release the pair at De Hoop Penguin Colony, a safe island where they could nest and thrive.

Release and new beginnings
On July 20, 2024, Backman and Happy Feet were transported to De Hoop by a team of dedicated individuals, including Robberg Vets' vet nurse Hanlie and conservationist Christina Hagen. The pair was fitted with transponders for monitoring and kept in a pen until dark to ensure they remained on the island overnight. Shortly after their release, Happy Feet’s transponder signaled that she had returned to the island. Soon after, Christina spotted Backman nearby. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that these two penguins, who had spent so much time in rehabilitation, were now in their natural habitat, possibly starting a family of their own.

A team effort
Backman and Happy Feet’s successful release was the result of an incredible team effort. From the veterinary care to the rehabilitation process, to the careful planning of their release, this success story highlights the power of collaboration. Thanks to the support of Tenikwa, Robberg Vets, Equine Librium, Cape Nature, SANCCOB, and countless others, Backman and Happy Feet are now free to live out their lives in the wild, contributing to the establishment of the penguin colony at De Hoop.

The future
Keri McMorran, managing director of Tenikwa said the hope is that Backman and Happy Feet will settle into their new home, building a life together and contributing to the recovery of the African penguin population. "Their journey is not just a success story, but a testament to the resilience of wildlife and the dedicated people who work tirelessly to protect them. This story is a reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation and the impact of human effort in ensuring that animals like Backman and Happy Feet can have a second chance at life."

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