A rare penguin found on Wakanui beach is ‘‘chilled out’’ as she recovers with specialised care.
Oamaru Penguins has named the erect crested penguin, believed to be a female, Snake.
She came into the centre’s care on February 15, two days after being spotted on the beach by a resident who reported it to the Department of Conservation.
Science and environmental manager Philippa Agnew said Snake had the nature of all erect crested penguins.
‘‘All penguins are cute, crested penguins are particularly chilled out. They are always easier to have in care compared to little penguins, who are super feisty.’’
Snake was so named as she was found leading up to Chinese New Year, in the last days of the Year of the Snake.
‘‘We just come up with random names.’’
From examining Snake, Agnew and fellow staff thought it was female. Females had smaller body and bill size.
Erect crested penguins live in the Subantarctic Islands.
While unusual to have them turn up on the mainland so far north, it was not unheard of. They had been found as far away as Kaikoura and even Australia.
Agnew said erect crested penguins are forced to rest for two to three weeks when they moult. After fattening up at sea they go to shore and all their feathers are replaced by new ones.
‘‘They kind of get stuck,’’ she said.
It appeared this is what had happened to Snake.
Snake had been too skinny to moult on her own, but this process has now triggered after eating plenty of sprat and anchovies at Oamaru Penguins.
‘‘It’s obviously us feeding it that it’s doing much better,’’ Agnew said.
Snake would be released off the beach at Oamaru after she had finished moulting, which would not be for another at least eight days.
She would then be likely to swim on back home, hundreds of kilometres south, to the Subantarctic Islands.
The member of the public who called DOC about the penguin did the right thing, Agnew said.
DOC biodiversity ranger Simon Waugh said erect crested penguins were seen on coastlines on the eastern South Island in late summer, as it was when they moulted.
They were highly vulnerable to predators during this time.
‘‘So its important people are extra vigilant when visiting beaches, and keep all dogs under control.’’
During Snake’s time on Wakanui Beach, she was snapped and put on the internet.
Desmond Downs shot a video and put it on YouTube, where she can be seen standing in the sunshine, moving her feet, grooming and scratching herself.
