The Emperor penguin that appeared on the Kapiti Coast this week will be left to do his own thing, Department of Conservation staff say.
The one metre tall penguin has been on Peka Peka beach since Monday and seems to be in good health.
The DOC said the young penguin is venturing into the sea at night to catch food and behaving normally.
"We keep our interference with wild animals to an absolute minimum, and this emperor penguin is no exception," DOC biodiversity spokesperson Peter Simpson said.
"The local community are doing a fantastic job keeping their dogs well away, not getting too close, and informing the Department about their concerns.
"DOC is not planning to move the penguin. There is no reason to shift a healthy animal to an artificial environment or return it to the sea.
"It appears to be feeding, will drink sea water, and when the penguin wants to swim it will take to the water itself. We are letting nature take its course."
In any event the penguin would not be able to be taken back to Antarctica, because it is winter and there is no transport.
It is dark 24 hours a day and penguin experts have advised that large birds can suffer trauma if transported long distances.
A specialist vet will examine the penguin to make sure it is healthy, and DOC staff will continue to monitor it and check its condition.
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Emperor penguin visits the Kapiti Coast http://0rz.com/QNuuaE
Kapiti Coast residents have been treated to a rare visit by an emperor penguin. There is only one other recording of an emperor penguin in New Zealand, at Southland's Oreti Beach in 1967.
The Department of Conservation advises that people should not disturb the penguin and ensure that dogs are kept on leads in the area. Penguins can give vicious bites if they feel threatened. If left alone it is expected that the bird will eventually swim back out to sea.
It is not known why these birds that reside in the Antarctic would visit New Zealand shores.
"It's amazing to see one of these penguins on the Kapiti Coast," said DOC biodiversity spokesperson Peter Simpson.
"Unusual animals from the Antarctic sometimes visit our shores, but we really don't know why".
Department of Conservation staff were first alerted by Kapiti resident Christine Wilton who was walking her dog on Monday afternoon at Peka Peka Beach.
"I saw this glistening white thing standing up and I thought I was seeing things," Ms Wilton said.
She contacted DOC's Waikanae office and rangers went to investigate. They saw what looked like a big white ball in the sand. It stood up, looking quite relaxed and in good condition. It was later confirmed that the majestic visitor is a juvenile emperor penguin standing at about 1 metre tall.
Emperor penguins are the largest penguins, adults reaching more than a metre tall and weighing up to 30kg. They feed on fish, krill, squid and a wide range of marine invertebrates and hold the diving record at 450 metres deep and 11 minutes underwater.
If members of the public see this emperor penguin at another beach or to report unusual or injured marine animals contact the DOC HOTline: 0800 362 468.
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我當年也在nz看過企鵝啊
為什麼這個也可以當新聞啊
有那麼新奇哦
我當年也在nz看過企鵝啊
為什麼這個也可以當新聞啊
有那麼新奇哦
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