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Discovery, rehabilitation, and post-release monitoring of a vagrant emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)

  • Publication Type

    Journal

  • Publication Year

    2012

  • Author(s)

    C.M. Miskelly; P.M. Simpson; L.S. Argilla; J.F. Cockrem

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    59, 3&4

  • Pagination

    116-122

  • Article Type

    Paper

Keywords

Aptenodytes forsteri; emperor penguin; Happy Feet; New Zealand; post-release monitoring; rehabilitation; satellite tag; vagrant


Discovery, rehabilitation, and post-release monitoring of a vagrant emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)

Notornis, 59 (3&4), 116-122

C.M. Miskelly; P.M. Simpson; L.S. Argilla; J.F. Cockrem (2012)

Article Type: Paper

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We report on the discovery, care, release, and post-release monitoring of the 2nd vagrant emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) recorded from New Zealand. An immature male emperor penguin came ashore at Peka Peka Beach (40° 50’ S) 56 km north-east of Wellington on 20 Jun 2011. Its condition deteriorated over the following 4 days, and it was taken into care at Wellington Zoo on 24 Jun. Following 72 days of rehabilitation, the bird was released at sea at 51° 42’ S, 78 km north of subantarctic Campbell I, on 4 Sep 2011. He was tracked, via satellite transmitter, moving south-east for 113 km until 9 Sep, after which no further signals were received. The arrival, care and release of this penguin attracted unprecedented levels of public and media interest for a vagrant bird to New Zealand.