uShaka Marine World takes in third undernourished penguin

Captain Jack Sparrow has now joined his fellow African penguins, Admiral Paul and Baroness Jennifer, at the clinic at uShaka Sea World after he was rescued by members of the public on KZN’s lower south coast last week.

All three penguins are about four months old and, according to the SAAMBR animal welfare and behaviour manager, Gabby Harris, Jack had no major injuries but was dehydrated, undernourished and exhausted.

While the team at uShaka waited for Jack’s blood results, he was separated from Paul and Jennifer to ensure there was no cross infection.

Once his bloods came back and he was given an all clear, he was permitted to socialise.

“Although he weighed the least of the three penguins on arrival, he is doing well and has already gained 800gms,” said Harris.

As soon as all three penguins have attained their goal weights, they will be flown to Port Elizabeth and placed in the care of the staff from the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).

They will prepare all three of them for release.

“Although there is no way of knowing where these young penguins originated from, it is possible that all three came from St Croix Island in Port Elizabeth,” said Harris.

St Croix Island lies 4km offshore between the Coega and Sundays River mouths and is home to the largest African penguin colony in the world and has been declared a penguin sanctuary.

Should you see a marine animal in distress on one of KZN’s beaches, contact SAAMBR on 031 328 8060.