August 1 - 31, 2025: Issue 645

 

Fairy penguin found on Pacific Highway returned to Local Pacific ocean waters

Veterinary Nurse Lauren Sumner releases a little penguin back into the ocean at Curl Curl. Source: Taronga Wildlife Hospital

Five weeks after a lost little penguin was found standing in the middle of the Pacific Highway, she was returned to the ocean. Incredibly, the bird was found in Newcastle, over 100km away from the nearest known colony in Pittwater, with another colony at Manly.

When she came into care at Taronga Wildlife Hospital, the patient was underweight at just under 800 grams, but by the time she was released, she had reached 1kg.

The Little Penguin was released on Curl Curl Beach in Sydney’s Northern Beaches on Monday 25 August, giving her the best chance to reconnect with wild populations. 

The penguin was spotted walking along the busy road at night on 19 July, far from her natural coastal habitat. Concerned members of the public contacted Hunter Wildlife Rescue volunteers, who quickly stepped in to ensure her safety and transported her to Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney. 

On arrival, Taronga’s veterinary team found she was underweight and dehydrated, and was given fluids, a full health check, and placed into the zoo’s wildlife marine rehabilitation aviary to help her regain strength and restore waterproofing on her feathers, essential for survival in the wild.

“She was in a vulnerable state when she came to us, but with the right care and time in our wildlife rehabilitation pools, she’s made a fantastic recovery,” said Lauren Sumner, Veterinary Nurse at Taronga Wildlife Hospital. 

“Releasing her back into the ocean after 5-weeks in our care was a truly special moment and incredibly rewarding for our team.” 

Little Penguin patient in marine rehabilitation aviary at Taronga Wildlife Hospital. Photo: Taronga Zoo

Little Penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world, growing to just 30cm tall and weighing around 1kg. They are the only penguin species to breed on the Australian mainland, with colonies found along the southern and eastern coasts, including NSW’s only mainland colony at Manly in Sydney Harbour. 

These charismatic seabirds face growing threats from habitat loss, pollution, and predation by introduced predators and domestic pets. Taronga works closely with NSW Government’s Seabirds to Seascapes program, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services and community groups to protect these vulnerable populations and support their recovery in NSW.

One of her carers, Lauren Sumner, was given the honour of carrying the penguin back into the water at Curl Curl on Monday. The veterinary nurse said she began moving her flippers the second they touched the water again.

“I walked her in until I was up to my knees, and then let her go,” Lauren said.

The moment the penguin swam free was caught on video by Taronga staff. Lauren continued to watch the little girl penguin bobbing in the water as she swam away.

Taronga believes the penguin was young when she came into care and may have been out on her own for the first time, became disorientated, and this may account for her landing in the Newcastle suburb of Belmont.

Sadly, numbers of little penguins in NSW are continuing to decline. Last year, the NSW Department of Environment reported numbers at the Manly site plummeted to a record low of 19 breeding pairs, and this year, the population is stated to be at a heart-breaking 15 pairs.

“Although the species is of least concern, in NSW they are threatened, and the Manly colony is endangered,” Lauren said.

“Little Penguins are a much-loved species, but they’re also incredibly vulnerable on land, with predation from off-leash dogs, cats and introduced foxes,” said Lauren. 

“Whether it’s during their annual moult, nesting or when they become disoriented like this particular little penguin did, it’s important that we all take care and precautions to look out for them on our coastal beaches,” Lauren said. 

Taronga Wildlife Hospital treats around 125 native species each month. To expand its capacity to care for injured and endangered animals, Taronga is currently constructing a new wildlife hospital at Taronga Zoo Sydney, which includes specialised rehabilitation pools for marine seabirds and turtles. Taronga’s new Wildlife Hospital is set to be completed in 2026.

Related reports: