Second batch of African Penguins released on Lookout Beach
The second African Penguin release was held on the 11 November 2017 on Look out Beach.
Ten penguins were released back into their natural habitat after receiving a full bill of health signed off by Dr Brendan after extensive rehab at Tenikwa.
The penguins have been microchipped so they can be identified again if required. They will presumably stay in Plett for some time to come. The very young will spend 3-4 years at sea before returning to the colony they came from, which is assumed to be PE.
Over the last 4 months there has been a steady influx of young (blues and one juvenile) penguins to Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
They have been retrieved from as far afield as the Goukamma area to the west and Natures Valley to the east.
Blood toxicology showed two of these birds had contracted Avian Malaria, three suffered from Babesia (parasitic infection of red-blood cells) and four had a clean tox screen but were weak and dehydrated.
Three of these aforementioned birds also had injuries to various body parts, some affecting waterproofing and others impairing movement or sight.
The process the penguins need to go through before they can be released:
One of the important parts of the pre-release program is swimming and exercising the penguins daily so that they are fit enough to cope with their reintroduction to the ocean.
The Tenikwa Animal Keeping Team and Vet Nurse have been busy with the following requirements:
1.Waterproofing their feathers to make sure that they can spend extended periods at sea without losing body temperature.
2.Analyzing their blood to ensure that they do not carry any blood born diseases and their blood results are clear of any health problems.
3. Deworming them to ensure that they are clear from any parasites.
A photograph of each penguins chest plumage is taken as a method of “double marking” as every African penguin has a individual spot pattern. (Double marking refers to the fact that each penguin will get a transponder as well to identify them.)
Measurements need to be taken prior to Transpondering. The measurements for each penguin that need to be recorded are:
- Bill Depth
- Bill Length
- Head Length
- Flipper Length
- Girth
- Body Length
- Foot Length
In the Tenikwa Wildlife Hospital each Penguin has an “African Penguin Release Datasheet” to record all the findings accordingly by their Vet Nurse and Animal Keeping Team.
The last phase of the Rehabilitation/Release program before Vet clearance:
Blood sampling is done to establish whether the Penguin is anemic and the level of total protein in the serum.
Before Transpondering a number of small downy feathers are plucked to clear the skin surface. Each penguins feathers are also stored individually in an envelope.
The transponder is verified before and after implanting.
Saturday was the perfect day for the penguins to return to their familiar habitat and the the turnout of spectators was unbelievable. There were about 500 people gathered on Lookout Beach, watching as the 8 penguins made their way across the beach to freedom.
Well done to Nature’s Valley Trust, Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre, BirdLife South Africa and Birdlife Plettenberg Bay in supporting and caring for our wildlife.
Checkout this awesome Video by Garth Ensley Photography and Video
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