A little blue penguin, recognised as the world’s smallest penguin, has recovered and returned to its natural habit this week after he found himself on the runway of New Zealand’s Wellington International Airport.
The unexpected visitor was discovered waddling around in front of an Air Chathams flight on Jan. 26.
The pilot and passengers waited patiently as airport staff rushed to rescue the disheveled penguin, which had wandered onto the runway amidst a scorching 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).
The flight schedule incurred a delay of approximately 20 minutes due to the unforeseen disruption.
Wellington Zoo, which has helped recover other wildlife in the past, took him to cool down and monitor for further issues.
“Our friends at Wellington Zoo did an amazing job of nursing him back to health over the last six weeks until he was ready for release at a nesting spot on Wellington’s south coast,” said Wellington Airport’s Phil Rennie on Feb. 26.
“We did ask him politely to stay away from the runway in [the] future though!”
For the past six weeks, Wellington Zoo has taken care of the penguin’s recovery until he was deemed fit for release.
The zoo’s veterinary team placed the Kororā, or little penguin, on a special diet to encourage weight gain.
He went on lengthy swims in the zoo’s saltwater pool, which helped to waterproof his feathers, a crucial process to protect penguins from the cold and moisture of the sea.
“As soon as our vets confirmed that this Kororā’s feathers were waterproof, we were ready to go! Today, they were released back into the wild at a nesting spot in Lyall Bay, ready to head back to the sea to catch some tasty fish.”
Wellington Zoo said the bird may have ventured from its natural nest in a nearby bay, gotten lost on the way, and finally found himself on the airport runway after wriggling under the fence.
The population of the little penguin, a tiny bird weighing a little over 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds), is declining throughout New Zealand, particularly in areas not protected from predators.
Most are now on offshore islands where there is less disturbance.
Little penguins possess remarkable speed and swimming abilities, but on land they are basically defenceless against mammalian predators, according to Wellington Zoo.
“Keeping your dog on a lead, and not taking dogs to areas where penguins are known to nest and moult is such an easy way to prevent a negative interaction between dog and penguin,” a spokesperson for Wellington Zoo told the Epoch Times.
“While you are out and about, keep your eyes peeled for rubbish—especially anything that could tangle a penguin and take it away with you.
“If you are concerned about a penguin or find a deceased penguin on the beach call 0800 DOC HOT and let the Department of Conservation know about what you have found, they will be able to advice the best course of action for your particular situation.”
