Gus the penguin, an adult male emperor penguin, made a remarkable 3,500-kilometer journey from Antarctica to Australia before being released back into the Southern Ocean. The bird was found malnourished on Australian shores but gained weight and passed a veterinary check under the care of registered wildlife caregiver Carol Biddulph.
Sources:
- DW News
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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Parks and Wildlife Service
Quote from Biddulph
“I really didn’t know whether he was going to make it to begin with because he was so undernourished,” Biddulph said in a video recorded before the bird’s release. “I’ll miss Gus. It’s been an incredible few weeks, something I wouldn’t have missed.”
Gus’s Future
With his release into the Southern Ocean, hopes are high that Gus will return to Antarctica, where he belongs. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the seabird was malnourished when it arrived on the Australian shore, but under Biddulph’s care, he gained some weight and passed his veterinary check. “I’ve got every faith he will get home,” Biddulph said.
Emperor penguins have been known to cover up to 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) on foraging journeys that last up to a month.
An emperor penguin that made a roughly 3,500-kilometer (2,200 miles) journey from Antarctica to Australia was finally released at sea 20 days after waddling ashore on a popular beach. The emperor penguin made headlines after landing on Australia’s coast, and the hope is he will now return to Antarctica.
The Adult Male Penguin
The adult male was found on Ocean Beach on November 1 in southwest Australia, according to the government. It is the only known penguin to have covered this distance.
Carol Biddulph, a registered wildlife caregiver, took care of the bird, whom she named Gus — after the Roman emperor Augustus. He was released this week into the Southern Ocean from a Parks and Wildlife Service boat, which traveled several hours into the sea from the southernmost city of Albany. The government announced his release on Friday.
Gus the penguin’s rescue and release were widely reported in the media, with many people expressing concern for the bird’s well-being after it was found malnourished on Australian shores. However, under Biddulph’s care, Gus gained some weight and passed his veterinary check, giving hope that he would eventually return to Antarctica.
Emperor Penguins
Emperor penguins are the largest of their kind and have been known to cover long distances in search of food. The journey from Antarctica to Australia is a significant one, and it is unclear how Gus managed to make this trip without any assistance.
The Release into the Southern Ocean
The release of Gus into the Southern Ocean has been met with relief by many, who hope that he will now be able to return to his natural habitat. However, it remains to be seen whether Gus will successfully navigate the long journey back to Antarctica.
Gus’s Journey
Gus, an emperor penguin, made a remarkable journey from Antarctica to Australia, covering approximately 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles). He was found on Ocean Beach in southwest Australia on November 1 and was taken care of by Carol Biddulph, a registered wildlife caregiver.
Malnourishment and Recovery
Upon arrival, Gus was malnourished, but under Biddulph’s care, he gained weight and passed his veterinary check. This recovery was crucial for his return to the ocean, as emperor penguins need to thermoregulate to adapt to summertime in the Southern Hemisphere.
Release into the Southern Ocean
On November 22, Gus was released into the Southern Ocean from a Parks and Wildlife Service boat, which traveled several hours into the sea from the southernmost city of Albany. The government announced his release on Friday.
Significance of Release
Gus’s return to the ocean came at a crucial time, as he needed to thermoregulate to adapt to summertime in the Southern Hemisphere. His journey highlights the remarkable abilities of emperor penguins, which can cover up to 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) on foraging journeys that can last up to a month.
An emperor penguin that made a roughly 3,500-kilometer (2,200 miles) journey from Antarctica to Australia was finally released at sea 20 days after waddling ashore on a popular beach.
