AN African penguin rescued at Stiebel Rocks on the KwaZulu-Natal South coast on Thursday, 2 August is responding well to treatment under the watchful eyes of uShaka Sea World staff.
Cyclops, who was named after the Marvel comics superhero, was in a severely compromised condition when he arrived at uShaka Sea World. He was dehydrated, markedly underweight and had an injured left flipper and only a right eye.
The animal health team immediately started rehydration therapy and medical observations. It was thought that Cyclops, who is approximately four months old, could have been born with a visual defect or had perhaps suffered an eye injury when he was very young. The injury to his flipper, on the other hand, was more recent– possibly from the bite of a small shark.
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“It must be very difficult for a young penguin with only one eye to compete with other penguins for food and to skilfully avoid predators. This could have led to him being found on a KZN beach thousands of kilometres from home, injured, dehydrated and malnourished,” said Dr Caryl Knox, SAAMBR veterinarian.
Cyclops spends his days resting in a temperature controlled playpen in the hospital where he is constantly monitored and given fluids, food, antibiotics and vitamins.
“With all this pampering and care it is no wonder he has put on 0.8kgs since he arrived five days ago. This is a lot for such a small bird who only weighted 1.2Kgs when he arrived,” said Knox.
Ushaka Sea Word thanked local resident, Graham Tilley, bird expert Andrew Pickles, and Dr Claire Norton who played various roles in ensuring Cyclops was well cared for from the time he washed ashore until he was in the care of uShaka Sea World staff.
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