SKYE, a gannet rescued and rehabilitated at uShaka Sea World at the end of December was released this week.
uShaka Sea World animal care specialist, Lesley Labuschagne said on Monday, 28 December they received a message that there was an adult gannet who was unable to fly on Ifafa beach.
The NSRI Shelly Beach was contacted and assisted in making arrangements to transport the gannet to uShaka.
On admission, it was found that the gannet, who was named Skye after the person who drove it to Durban, was underweight, weak, and unable to stand.
Skye was given a fluid treatment and put on a course of antibiotics and left to rest.
During Skye’s time at Ushaka, he responded well to care and treatment and gained weight.
The bird’s general body posture and reaction to outside stimuli also became normal and the bird was easily able to get into and out water unaided, it preened a lot and was aware of people approaching, reacting defensively which is exactly as it should.
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Lesley, who is the exception to the rule, was allowed to get relatively close without evoking a defensive reaction.
“I have absolutely loved taking care of Skye who is unlike any other gannet we have ever cared for. He was so easy to work with as he was very relaxed and other than being a fussy eater, is probably the most endearing patient I have ever worked with,” she said. Before release, he was eating around 11 sardines each day, however Lesley said they needed to be absolutely perfect in texture otherwise he just spat them out. “I am going to miss him but am overjoyed that he has recovered so well,” said Lesley.
Ann Kunz from Sea World said: “It was a perfect day for his release on Thursday. The skies were clear, the sea was flat and there was a gentle wind blowing. We took him out beyond the shipping and boating lines and released him. All the way out to sea he was peering out his transport crate and wasted no time once we had stopped to bid us farewell. After flying for a while he settled on the ocean’s surface for a session of preening, diving and preening before flying off again. It was an absolute joy to watch.”
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