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From our scientist, Hiltrun Ratz, PhD
scientist@penguins.org.nz |
We get the odd crested penguin but they are usually Fiordland, Erect, Snares or even a Rockhopper - but we have been honoured to care for a Royal penguin over the last few weeks. He was found being harassed by gulls and not fat enough to complete the moult. Now he feasts on salmon every day while growing a new fabulous set of feathers. Royal penguins live only on Macquarie Island, south of Australia and are close relatives to the Macaroni penguin (that don't have the white cheeks).
We knew from earlier in the season that this penguin sponsored as a chick was alive and had returned to near where he grew up. Being a little shy it was very difficult - actually impossible - to get a photo of him but now that he has started the moult, he was a "sitting penguin"!! Great weight, great spot - he'll be there for four weeks!
This chick is another one that could be either big girl or still-needs-to-grow-a-little boy. Good weight at 90day: 6.4kg - that'll give him time to learn how to fish.
This juvenile has had all the salmon he could eat, he was very, very fat when he was released: 8.9kg. He'll spend the moult in the colony socialising, and leaving feathers everywhere!!
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