Sunday 22 March 2020

Pablo with a sea view!

​Hello friends and family
The penguins keep rolling in. On Tuesday we picked up another 5. They are underweight or behaving strangely so with the risk of Malaria so high, we bring them in so at least they can get tested. The normal ones stay in the wild. On Tuesday the next shipment of salmon from NZ King Salmon arrived and the fish are just the right size for Yellow-eyed penguins so feeding is a breeze. When I try and feed them tiny fish, they look at me as if I am insulting them!

Mrs 139 who had her flipper caught in moulinbechia and it is now moulting

​On Wednesday I took the truck to town to get a puncture fixed. There is surely panic buying in Oamaru and the Supermarket had no flour of any kind. This is annoying as I normally only go to town once a fortnight so my supplies will run low by then!

Seal pups appear in all kinds of places

​On Thursday we brought in 2 more penguins – both were taking 4 weeks and had not finished moulting. Their partners had been and gone and still they lingered! We also got the great news that the Council is going to supply the water for the penguin habitat for free. This is the result of the lobbying by Megan, one of our members, fighting for what is right – well done Meg!

A predated Titi - one of 2 we found this week

Yesterday Elaine came out and tested the blood of the 7 new penguins in care. 3 had Malaria and 3 have an infection. Interesting blood! Hiltrun came up and released 2 Little penguins and Pablo! We now have 20 Yellow-eyed penguins in care and 5 Little ones. When it was time to go, Hiltrun had a puncture. Thank goodness for the AA – a tow truck came and took Hiltrun and her car home.
Have a great week!
Rosalie
​