And ave silvestre this year he obtained a second chance at life thanks to the joint work of protectionist organizations. In South Africaand penguin of an endangered species was reinserted into its natural habitat time after staying stranded with health problems.
The story with a happy ending had as its protagonist Bennya juvenile female Cape penguin (Spheniscus drowned), a critically endangered species.
It all started on May 15, when this small bird visibly appeared exhausted and underweight on the coast of Port Edwarda town in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (in the extreme east of the African country) located in front of the indian ocean.
What health problems did the bird have and how did it recover?
According to the local newspaper The Witness, a team of specialists grouped under the KZN Stranding Network —a network of professionals made up of several institutions that responds to marine strandings— rescued the animal after being spotted by several citizens.
The specimen was then transferred that same day to a veterinary rehabilitation center of the non-profit non-governmental organization South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), responsible for contributing to the conservation of marine and coastal resources.
When the bird arrived at the SAAMBR facilities, experts confirmed that it was dehydrated and showed signs of malnutrition. In a publication From the entity’s Facebook account, shared on May 18, it was reported that the female Cape penguin had «probably» passed approximately 10 days without feeding before appearing stranded on the coast.
Despite this initial situation, the animal he recovered thanks to the attention at the center. «Fortunately, SAAMBR veterinarian Dr. Caryl Knoxfound no serious injuries and, after receiving fluids, vitamins and a restful night’s rest, Benny surprised everyone greedily devouring fish the next morning,» the organization explained in the social network post.
Over the next two weeks, the bird remained under SAAMBR protection. «Our animal care and veterinary teams provided Benny with the best care, attention and supporthelping will regain strength and appetite. It arrived weighing itself 1,5 kgand when the time came when he was fit for the next stage of his journey, he was already a strong and energetic penguin of 2,7 kg«said the entity in another post from Facebook, dated June 9.
During the first days of June, after being 15 days in charge of the SAAMBR, the animal was transferred to the facilities of the non-profit organization Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of seabirds.
This was his release
At the end of that same month, the SANCCOB reintroduced the penguin into the wild along with other specimens.
«Benny He did not enter the ocean alonebut with a mixed group of adults and young people who had also needed to spend time in human care«, declared the assistant curator of mammals and birds of the SAAMBR, Kelly de Klerkaccording to a post from the entity on June 22.
«Rehabilitated African penguins (editor’s note: Cape penguins are also known) are released into these mixed groups to ensure that the inexperienced young learn to interact socially, to be confident and adapt with relative ease to life in the ocean, after having been under human care,» the woman added in this regard.
After the bird’s return to its natural habitat, the organization she was grateful with all those who were part of the cause.
«It is often said that it takes an entire community to raise a child (editor’s note: it is a famous expression in English), and more recently, to rescue and rehabilitate critically endangered African penguins. This was certainly true in Benny’s case, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in his return to the ocean. Good luck, Benny.«, reflected the SAAMBR in the June 22 publication.
