Backman: The Penguin Who Feared the Water

The ongoing saga of Backman…

Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, a key player in wildlife rescue, is fully operational once again, dedicated to rehabilitating injured and abandoned animals. Part of a coastal network, Tenikwa focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating penguins, working tirelessly to return these endangered birds to the sea, hoping to reduce their risk of extinction.

Among the many animals at the center, Backman stands out as the smallest yet oldest penguin. He arrived at Tenikwa as a “blue,” a term for young penguins before they experience their first molt.

Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, a key player in wildlife rescue, is fully operational once again

On June 6, 2022, Robberg Vet Clinic, closely affiliated with Tenikwa, received Backman, an African penguin with a severe back injury, likely caused by a boat propeller in a tragic instance of human-wildlife conflict. Initially, the clinic sterilized, debrided, and meticulously stitched the wound, carefully aligning the feathers to ensure waterproofing once healed, aiming for swift rehabilitation.

However, complications arose. The wound reopened, revealing more severe damage that required further surgery. As a result, a large section of Backman’s back had to be shaved, meaning he would need to stay in rehabilitation until he molted and grew new feathers.

And so, Backman’s true journey with Tenikwa began…