Little Penguin returns to the wild for Christmas

Little Penguin returns to the wild for Christmas

#Taronga Zoo Sydney

Posted on 24th December 2013 by Media Relations

A Little Penguin will get to celebrate Christmas in the wild after being nursed back to health at Taronga Zoo's Wildlife Hospital.Hospital staff released the penguin, known affectionately as ‘Ed’, into the waters of Manly Cove last week.Taronga Wildlife Hospital Manager, Libby Hall said the penguin was brought to the hospital on 30 November with a suspected concussion.“It may have received a slight bump from a boat. It was very thin and couldn’t stand, but fortunately there weren’t any major wounds,” she said.The penguin was treated with antibiotics, vitamins and antifungal medication, and was soon back on its feet and able to swim in the hospital’s rehabilitation pool.Libby said the penguin had returned to full health ahead of last week’s release at Delwood Beach.Despite being small, Little Penguins are incredible swimmers with young birds recorded making journeys of over 1200 km. The birds were once fairly common in Sydney, but urban development and domestic pets have placed them under pressure.People can help Little Penguins at beaches by keeping dogs on leashes, not leaving rubbish around and protecting plants and trees at the shore.