Emperor penguin swims thousands of kilometers and ends up on a beach in Australia

Published:

Nov 12, 2024 12:16 GMT

It is estimated that it had to swim about 3,500 kilometers from Antarctica, which scientists consider the longest journey ever recorded for the species.

An emperor penguin made an incredible solo journey of several thousand kilometers across the ocean from Antarctica, presumably in search of food, and ended up on the coast of Australia, where the species was sighted for the first time in history. reported ABCNews.

The adult male, measuring 1 meter in height, was found on November 1 on a popular tourist beach in the town of Denmark, in southwestern Australia. At the time of rescue, its weight was only 23 kilograms when a healthy bird can weigh more than 45 kg.

Currently, the penguin, named Gus, remains in the care of animal rights activists while he gains weight. It is estimated that he had to swim about 3,500 kilometers from Antarctica to Australia, which scientists consider the longest journey ever recorded for the species.

According to one theory that explains the trip, Gus would have swum through strong currents, something common for these birds when they hunt. Scientists noted that about a third of emperor penguin colonies in the wild are vulnerable due to rising sea levels and melting ice. It is not yet known whether it will be returned to Antarctica and the Australian Government is considering options.