The first emperor penguin found in Australia was released after being cared for by a wildlife expert for 20 days. The bird, nicknamed Gus, was found malnourished on a beach on November 1 and gained over seven pounds while under the care of seabird rehabilitator Carol Biddulph and her husband, a veterinarian. The penguin was released off the southern coast of Western Australia as warmer weather approached to allow it to thermoregulate in the ocean.
The penguin, weighing about 50 pounds when found, was around half the weight of a healthy male and stands at 3 feet 3 inches tall. Its gender has not been confirmed. Biddulph fed the bird fluids and slurry before it could eat whole fish, and provided a mirror for companionship. The release was described as a special moment by Biddulph, who wished Gus good luck and encouraged it to keep going south.
Emperor penguins are the largest of all penguins, averaging 3 feet 7 inches in height. They are known to travel long distances on foraging trips, sometimes up to almost 1,000 miles lasting a month. It remains a mystery how Gus ended up in Australia from its Antarctic home. The care and attention given to Gus by Biddulph and her husband have given the penguin a fighting chance of survival in its unfamiliar environment.
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