Emperor penguin turns up on Australian beach, thousands of miles from home
CTV
An emperor penguin surprised locals when it appeared on a beach in Australia after making an epic journey of thousands of miles from its home in Antarctica.
An emperor penguin surprised locals when it appeared on a beach in Australia after making an epic journey of thousands of miles from its home in Antarctica.
The penguin arrived on Ocean Beach in Denmark, Western Australia, on Friday, according to a statement from Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), sent to CNN on Wednesday.
A spokesperson described the penguin as “malnourished,” adding that the animal “remains in the care of a trained and registered local wildlife carer.”
“The rehabilitation process is expected to take a few weeks,” said the spokesperson, who added that the wildlife carer is being supported by a DBCA officer.
Ocean Beach is more than 2,200 miles (3540 km) due north of Antarctica, suggesting the penguin probably swam significantly further to reach Australia.
Belinda Cannell, a research fellow at the University of Western Australia, told Australian public broadcaster ABC News that this is the first time an emperor penguin has been seen so far north.
The penguin may have followed a current north from Antarctica, she said.
