Taronga Zoo fiordland penguins in Australia

Jet...so what part of dumping this poor bird back in the ocean is to do with education,conservation or any zoo ethos? It just propogates the basic tenet that many ,even within the zoo community,believe that the captivity of animals is in essence wrong...the history of the subject actually proves zoos to be a human NEED and i see nothing wrong with that. I am NOT a zoo apologist and obviously i want them to be properly functioning,GOOD places.The greatest function zoos can perform is to inspire AWE within human communities-this wont happen if their most ardent fans get all wibbly-wobbly about the very concept.
 
Nature is both surprising (e.g. the fact the penguin turned up where it did) and cruel, sometimes with good purpose (e.g. the penguin may feed a threatened sea lion or shark), and sometimes we take human intervention too far with an animal like this (which achieves little more than making us feel like we are doing the right thing). There are also expenses to consider and zoos/conservation organisations have to prioritise limited resources when considering such cases. On the other hand, I don't disagree with the points by several people in relation to the bird being more likely to survive in a zoo and that finishing it's life in a zoo with another of its species seems like a nice idea (assuming the 2 birds don't hate each other like some humans thrown together would:)) and this would at least have some education effect. Hence, there are pros and cons of each avenue, noting the overall conservation benefit of any action with this single bird is negligible.

Regardless, my last post was largely in response to the comment "NO issue with taking animals [humanely] from wild at all". While perhaps the way I read this was not the intent, I thought it would benefit from further qualification that modern zoos should (and many do) carefully consider conservation impacts and benefits from any wild take these days.
 
has anyone heard any more on this story? I can't find anything on Google that's not over a week old.
 
I haven't seen anything about the penguin for over a week either. IMHO I think sending her to Taronga zoo would be the best and cheapest option. Happy feet had thousands spent on him and he just disappeared and in 2007 another Fiordland penguin went to Auckland and was sent back to Fiordland only to die of a disease. Mr Munro must be very lonely being the only one of his kind in a zoo. They are an endangered species and while I like the idea of animals being wild and free with endangered species captivity is sometimes the only thing standing between a species survival and extinction.
Fiordland penguins are a very secretive species and I am doing a course in marine science (MARI 302) at Otago university and did a poster presention on the species and found there was very little information to be found anywhere.
 
sort of an update, from 17 June:
Penguin that swam to Oz joined by seal pup - National - NZ Herald News
An intrepid Fiordland penguin that swam 3000km to Australia will soon be joined in her recovery at an animal rescue sanctuary by another wayfaring New Zealander - a seal pup.

Animal sanctuary boss Aaron Machado said 2-year-old penguin Katrina, who has been recovering at the sanctuary in South Australia since washing up injured on a beach five weeks ago, was unlikely to welcome the new roommate in the 1000sq m wetland enclosure.

"She'll be pissed off that I've put that 'wet dog' in there. She's the queen of that place, she's the boss."

The seal, named Emma, was recovering after surgery to remove rocks from her stomach, Machado said.

"We're getting overtaken by New Zealanders."

It was not unusual for New Zealand seals to be seen in Australian waters, he said.

Katrina was making good progress, rebuilding muscles and tipping the scales at 3.2kg, almost double her rescued weight.

"She's still a grumpy little snot, but we love her anyway."

Staff were waiting a couple more weeks for Katrina's feathers to grow back after surgery on a large gash to her abdomen. Once she was waterproof, she could be released into the wild.

The signs were good so far, Machado said.

He still wanted Katrina flown back to New Zealand, despite comments by Michelle Gutsell, Department of Conservation Te Anau office species recovery team leader, that the penguin had a good chance of making it under her own steam.

But Machado worried current and wind conditions could push Katrina back to shore.

Australian zoos were keen to secure Katrina, but he was determined to stop that happening. "We just want to get this animal back where she belongs."
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Kiwi penguin Katrina almost ready for release | adelaidenow
3 July 2012


The miracle Kiwi penguin Adelaide has grown to love could soon splash back into the wild, as rescuers laud her progress and the way she has responded to rehabilitation.

"Katrina", a Fiordland penguin from New Zealand's South Island, swam 3000km to SA where she was rescued by the Australian Marine Wildlife Research and Rescue Organisation (AMWRO), based at Torrens Island, in late April.

Initially in critical condition after losing half of her body weight, Katrina has amazed rescuers with her recovery and could be ready to release back into the wild within a month.

It is not yet known whether she will be released in Australia or NZ. AMWRO manager Aaron Machado said he would discuss options for her release with the NZ government.

Mr Machado said Katrina's response to treatment had been remarkable.

"She was dehydrated and suffered from abdominal wounds," Mr Machado said.

"She had a two-hour emergency surgery to which she has responded very well.

"She has got over her surgery and doubled in weight, which is what we wanted to see."

Nursing Katrina back to health has been a long process, with Mr Machado helping her to get used to eating again.

"After surgery, she was put on minimal fluid therapy for two weeks. We had to stabilise her gut and make sure she would accept food again," Mr Machado said.

"You need to slowly and gradually give them food."

The penguin, who ended up in SA after being carried by tides and becoming disorientated, has had little human contact through her rehabilitation, with volunteers only venturing in to see her when she requires a feed.

Katrina's feathers were removed during the surgery and providing they grow back and prove to be waterproof, she will be set free back into the wild.
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an update on this story: the penguin was released off a beach in South Australia on 3rd November last year.
Australian Marine Wildlife Research & Rescue Organisation – AMWRRO -
2 November 2012

After several months in care Katrina the Fiordland Crested Penguin is finally being released tomorrow morning at a secluded beach in the Lower South East district. The road for this bird has been long to say the least and at times very bumpy but after several talks with DEWNR Directors the approval for her release was granted.

Unfortunately we were forbidden by the Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife to transport her to the east coast of Tasmania for release due to a supposed “biosecurity” risk! Nonetheless, Katrina will be transported overnight and release at first light tomorrow morning (swimming straight passed Tasmania!) and with flippers crossed she will make her way back home.

A very special thank you to “Katrina and her family” from the Lower South East who assisted in getting this lucky bird to Adelaide for treatment; Dr. Lisa for performing the lifesaving surgery and to all those dedicated hardworking AMWRRO volunteers who cared for over the past five months
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and a video of the release (in a comical style, given the refusal of the penguin to actually be released into the ocean!)
 
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another one found last month at Bridgewater Bay in Victoria has also been taken into care.
 
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