A local tourist last weekend found a juvenile African penguin stranded on the beach at uMlalazi.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife officials were alerted and they kindly offered to drive the young penguin to Durban.

“Although she appeared understandably weak, underweight, and a little dehydrated after her long journey from the Cape, she was otherwise free of any obvious injuries,” says Ann Kunz of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research.

“We imagined that for such a young penguin to make it all the way from the Cape waters to KZN, it must be a super ace swimmer, which is why the uShaka Sea World staff caring for her decided to call her Ace. Although her sex is undetermined, as she is so beautiful, they have decided she must be a female,” Kunz explains.

uShaka Sea World Lead Animal Care Specialist Kelly de Klerk adds: “After a quick assessment of her overall condition, I gave her a solution of darrow’s to replace lost electrolytes and positioned her in a quiet area to rest for the evening. When she is a little stronger, I will reassess her and start offering her small pieces of fish.”

Although it is impossible to know the history behind Ace’s stranding, it is possible that she was following the sardines as they made their way up the coast, and likely lost her bearings.

Kunz says that once she had fully recovered, the veterinary team would give her a full medical assessment and if all went well, she would be on her way soon.