Emperor penguin found on beach has been released
November 22, 2024 6:39 AM Subscribe
An emperor penguin found malnourished on an Australian beach has been released into the Southern Ocean after a period of recovery.
(Including 20 days of free fish, and a veterinary check.) The text article at the link includes a cheerful 2 minute video of the release itself.
The penguin was found by local surfers at Ocean Beach, 430 kilometres south of Perth, on November 1.
The Antarctic species has been known to swim up to 1600km (994 miles) on foraging trips, however this penguin was more than 3000km (1864 miles) from home.
The penguin was found by local surfers at Ocean Beach, 430 kilometres south of Perth, on November 1.
The Antarctic species has been known to swim up to 1600km (994 miles) on foraging trips, however this penguin was more than 3000km (1864 miles) from home.
So, dumb question: Why not give him a bit more of a ride?
posted by cjorgensen at 7:11 AM on November 22
posted by cjorgensen at 7:11 AM on November 22
Why not give him a bit more of a ride?
While I would have been delighted if they had dropped him off in Antarctica, the icebreaker that goes to Antarctica leaves from Tasmania, on the other side of the country - so you'd be looking at more than 7 hours of plane travel, with a strong risk of him getting dangerously overheated on the plane.
On top of that, the Australian Antarctic base, Mawson Station, is accessible by sea for only a short period each austral summer, between February and March.
There's a risk that if they had waited for the next icebreaker voyage in February 2025, he would have become habituated to people and become un-releasable.
Also, keeping an Emperor Penguin from overheating in Australia in December and January while waiting for the icebreaker to be ready would have been a real challenge.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 7:24 AM on November 22 [6 favorites]
While I would have been delighted if they had dropped him off in Antarctica, the icebreaker that goes to Antarctica leaves from Tasmania, on the other side of the country - so you'd be looking at more than 7 hours of plane travel, with a strong risk of him getting dangerously overheated on the plane.
On top of that, the Australian Antarctic base, Mawson Station, is accessible by sea for only a short period each austral summer, between February and March.
There's a risk that if they had waited for the next icebreaker voyage in February 2025, he would have become habituated to people and become un-releasable.
Also, keeping an Emperor Penguin from overheating in Australia in December and January while waiting for the icebreaker to be ready would have been a real challenge.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 7:24 AM on November 22 [6 favorites]
20 days of free fish
He didn't offer his debit card?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:29 AM on November 22
He didn't offer his debit card?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:29 AM on November 22
He didn't offer his debit card?
How dare you? The emperor pays for nothing.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 8:21 AM on November 22 [8 favorites]
How dare you? The emperor pays for nothing.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 8:21 AM on November 22 [8 favorites]
Obligatory "So long, and thanks for all the fish!"
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 9:18 AM on November 22 [5 favorites]
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 9:18 AM on November 22 [5 favorites]
That’s a lot of free fish!
posted by Captaintripps at 9:25 AM on November 22
posted by Captaintripps at 9:25 AM on November 22
He had them put it on his bill. </dadjoke>20 days of free fishHe didn't offer his debit card?
posted by It is regrettable that at 9:28 AM on November 22 [12 favorites]
Epony-magical.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 10:00 AM on November 22
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 10:00 AM on November 22
An emperor penguin should be carried home on a palanquin born by 4 gilded youths.
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:13 AM on November 22 [1 favorite]
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:13 AM on November 22 [1 favorite]
Mods can we get a special category for emperor penguins?
posted by hairless ape at 10:50 AM on November 22
posted by hairless ape at 10:50 AM on November 22
Insert soundtrack from John Carpenter's "The Thing" here...
posted by gtrwolf at 11:25 AM on November 22 [1 favorite]
posted by gtrwolf at 11:25 AM on November 22 [1 favorite]
Turns out it really was a a fine kettle of fish. (Also, Gus is adorable.)
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 12:47 PM on November 22
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 12:47 PM on November 22
He could have driven there himself in his penguin car if he hadn't blown a seal.
posted by CynicalKnight at 1:39 PM on November 22
posted by CynicalKnight at 1:39 PM on November 22
Back on the ice floe they’re never going to believe his story.
posted by jamjam at 3:44 PM on November 22
posted by jamjam at 3:44 PM on November 22
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posted by Capt. Renault at 7:02 AM on November 22 [6 favorites]