Fiordland Penguin

[Rosalind Jessop <>]

Dear Richard,
Over the years we have had quite a few Fiordland and Rockhopper Penguins
come into our animal hospital. Some of these were beachwashed and some
were moulting.  All were extremely underweight. My guess is that this
Fiordland Penguin would need to be taken into captivity and fed until a
suitable weight is obtained for release.
Fiordland Penguins are listed in the IUCN Category vuneralble. The total
population is only 2,500 to 3,000 nests (+ juveniles). The population at
Open Bay, New Zealand declined by 33% between 1988 and 1995 - if this
decline has also occurred in other areas they would "qualify" as
endangered in the IUCN categories.
It is probably not unusual for these birds to be in Victoria. Presumably
it is immature?
Cheers Roz Jessop
Phillip Island Nature Park
Victoria.






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