AN injured penguin was rescued from the surf between Warner Beach and Winklespruit yesterday afternoon (July 24).
Colin Sydney spotted the animal during his daily walk after initially mistaking it for a bird among the seagulls. “It was injured, so I wrapped it in a towel and brought it to the Baggies Kiosk while we waited for uShaka to arrive,” he said, adding that the discovery came as a shock because it’s not a common sight.
Also read: What to do if you find a stranded seal
Ann Kunz of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) said this is the third juvenile African penguin brought to uShaka Sea World this month. “It’s a far way from home, and must have followed the sardine run from the Port Elizabeth area,” she said.
The penguin, now affectionately named Cher, is in a critical but stabilised condition and is receiving medical care. “It appears to have injuries from a shark bite, which we suspect happened a day before it was found. We are hopeful Cher will make a full recovery,” she said.
To report stranded sea animals, call uShaka Sea World on 031 328 8222 or 031 328 8060.
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