The Little Penguin That Could, Would, And Did!
January 2019 - February 2020
In January 2019 a little ball of fluff came into care. She became our longest term visitor, with us for just over 13 months. Beating all the odds and growing from a little chick into a young adult, this is a story of resilience, determination and learning "how to penguin".
P7 was found in the middle of the day emerging from a clump of seaweed on the beach, apparently looking for someone, anyone, to feed her-be it a penguin, seagull or human. Weighing only 410 grams (less than a can of beans) she was a ball of fluff and looked only two to three weeks old, but was more likely five to six weeks old. She had an extremely heavy infestation of ticks, fleas, lice and round worms. As a result she was severely anaemic and it took her a good month to recover from this, during which she started to fledge.
(Note that many wild animals carry parasites, of which there are many species, and usually only high levels of infestation are harmful. Penguins ingest round worms by eating fish, and pick up ticks, fleas and lice when on land. External parasites don't survive once the penguin spends lengthy time in the ocean.)
(Note that many wild animals carry parasites, of which there are many species, and usually only high levels of infestation are harmful. Penguins ingest round worms by eating fish, and pick up ticks, fleas and lice when on land. External parasites don't survive once the penguin spends lengthy time in the ocean.)
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Due to poor nutrient intake during her early growth, P7 remained undersized for a long time and poor feather development meant that even after fledging, she was not waterproof, and so had to remain in care until her first moult.
Although her newly fledged feathers looked as perfect as any other penguin's, it was soon apparent that nutrient deficiencies had left them structurally unsound and within a month they were beginning to dry out, and gradually breaking and / or shedding.
(Note: Penguins moult once a year, known as a catastrophic moult, shedding all their old feathers as the new feathers push through. Prior to moulting they will will spend 2-3 weeks at sea, feeding up until they almost double their weight. This is because they cannot hunt as they are not waterproof during their moult, which may take nearly 3 weeks to complete.)
Although not waterproof, she loved swimming and was still very quick and agile in the water, despite her stubby little tail. As she started to get waterlogged, she would begin to sink lower in the water and so spent a lot of her time diving.
She also taught herself to swim backstroke and sidestroke to keep her head above water in order to take breaths between dives. She knew she was a penguin, and penguins should be in the water, and she was very difficult to get out of the pool.
Determined to make the most of her swim time, even as the weather got colder, P7 managed to waterproof her down under her increasingly sparse feather coverage. Even in the coldest months of winter with her feet becoming mottled as she chilled, she was extremely reluctant to be removed from the pool.
Although her newly fledged feathers looked as perfect as any other penguin's, it was soon apparent that nutrient deficiencies had left them structurally unsound and within a month they were beginning to dry out, and gradually breaking and / or shedding.
(Note: Penguins moult once a year, known as a catastrophic moult, shedding all their old feathers as the new feathers push through. Prior to moulting they will will spend 2-3 weeks at sea, feeding up until they almost double their weight. This is because they cannot hunt as they are not waterproof during their moult, which may take nearly 3 weeks to complete.)
Although not waterproof, she loved swimming and was still very quick and agile in the water, despite her stubby little tail. As she started to get waterlogged, she would begin to sink lower in the water and so spent a lot of her time diving.
She also taught herself to swim backstroke and sidestroke to keep her head above water in order to take breaths between dives. She knew she was a penguin, and penguins should be in the water, and she was very difficult to get out of the pool.
Determined to make the most of her swim time, even as the weather got colder, P7 managed to waterproof her down under her increasingly sparse feather coverage. Even in the coldest months of winter with her feet becoming mottled as she chilled, she was extremely reluctant to be removed from the pool.
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Her incredibly strong will had allowed her to survive, and throughout her time in care she maintained that determination, allowing her to overcome many obstacles, and at times making her a very tricky guest to deal with.
She was prone to expressing her displeasure by vocalizing (similar to a bark) and/or biting. She would go up to the enclosure wall and bark if someone on the other side of the fence was making more commotion than she could tolerate.
Having lived in care for longer than in the wild, P7 didn't suffer from the stress that other birds coming into care
do-although she always found humans irritating.
She never became humanised and her "wild" instincts were reinforced by the adult birds that came into care.
As she was in long-term care, she took on the role of companion for new penguins that came into care, which is important in relieving stress for these social birds.
P7 bonded with P1 after he came out of moult. He was very paternal towards her-keeping guard, disciplining her. And, although preening is instinctive, he was very particular in ensuring that she preened herself thoroughly, waiting for her to mirror his actions when they preened after pool time.
She was prone to expressing her displeasure by vocalizing (similar to a bark) and/or biting. She would go up to the enclosure wall and bark if someone on the other side of the fence was making more commotion than she could tolerate.
Having lived in care for longer than in the wild, P7 didn't suffer from the stress that other birds coming into care
do-although she always found humans irritating.
She never became humanised and her "wild" instincts were reinforced by the adult birds that came into care.
As she was in long-term care, she took on the role of companion for new penguins that came into care, which is important in relieving stress for these social birds.
P7 bonded with P1 after he came out of moult. He was very paternal towards her-keeping guard, disciplining her. And, although preening is instinctive, he was very particular in ensuring that she preened herself thoroughly, waiting for her to mirror his actions when they preened after pool time.
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P1 also taught P7 how to use the rest step in the pool. However, once she knew how to use it, she decided that it was not for her. She would much rather remain in the water, even when waterlogged. After P1 was released, she never used the rest step again.
When in the pool together, he would swim around the edge of the pool, looking up over the combing if she started to have
difficulties.
This was a behaviour he had previously learnt would bring someone to his aid when he was not waterproof.
She also learnt from him how to express her displeasure by regurgitating her food. Throughout her time in care she would regurgitate whenever she was unhappy with arrangements and she would continue to do so until her carer worked out just what the issue was and rectified it.
When in the pool together, he would swim around the edge of the pool, looking up over the combing if she started to have
difficulties.
This was a behaviour he had previously learnt would bring someone to his aid when he was not waterproof.
She also learnt from him how to express her displeasure by regurgitating her food. Throughout her time in care she would regurgitate whenever she was unhappy with arrangements and she would continue to do so until her carer worked out just what the issue was and rectified it.
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P15 arrived on the 23rd of March 2019 and remained in care for 4 months. An older female penguin, she was found on beach rocks critically underweight, very dehydrated and suffering brain trauma, with resulting very addled wits.
Once she was in the enclosure, P15 looked to P7 for direction and would follow her around. This rather confused P7 as she was a much younger, less dominant bird. Much to P7's relief, as P15 regained health she became much more dominant, and after about three weeks she took on the "adult's" role.
A very vocal penguin, she would call very loudly when she wanted P7's company. As a consequence, P7 became much more vocal, and continued this with the other birds that came into care.
Once she was in the enclosure, P15 looked to P7 for direction and would follow her around. This rather confused P7 as she was a much younger, less dominant bird. Much to P7's relief, as P15 regained health she became much more dominant, and after about three weeks she took on the "adult's" role.
A very vocal penguin, she would call very loudly when she wanted P7's company. As a consequence, P7 became much more vocal, and continued this with the other birds that came into care.
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A small bird, but extremely determined and intelligent and quite a diva, she learnt from each of the birds in care but not until about 8 months in care did she really learn how "to penguin" as she hadn't ever been part of a colony. This made it very difficult for her when we had a sudden influx of penguin chicks who came in as survivors of a dog attack. Being the main resident all year, P7 had become very territorial, although she was content to share with individual penguins as they came into her enclosure. All previous birds that she'd had contact with were birds older than her so she was content to learn from and follow them.
When the penguin chicks arrived they saw P7 (older than they) as the leader, which confused and distressed her after a short period (old enough to be a baby sitter but not old enough to be a mummy?). Initially she became a bit of a bully, chasing them from each of the burrows in the enclosure, demonstrating strong territorial behaviour. The chicks were then moved to a separate aviary, however P7 then decided that that aviary should be her special territory and became distressed by them being in there. In another attempt to calm things down, P7 was placed in that aviary and the orphaned chicks were allowed to roam the main enclosure. This worked for a little over 24 hours, however the chicks decided that their favourite space was adjacent to P7's aviary and the noise they made distressed P7 - she didn't just want to be removed from them, but wanted them gone entirely! With her in continual distress and regurgitating about half of her meals, P7 lost weight and had to be brought back inside to calm her down and allow her to keep food down and regain some of the weight she'd lost.
On being returned to the enclosure P7 was placed in a small aviary and was fine for 24 hours. However, the next night the birds were very noisy as some very complex conversations emanated from the enclosure, particularly between P7 and the two eldest chicks. Whilst P7 had been separated from the others, the two eldest penguin chicks had become co-leaders of the mini colony. The next morning P7 ate breakfast and as soon as she was on the ground it was regurgitated but this time, instead of looking angry or defiant, she looked depressed and sad. Not knowing what else to do, her carer took her out to the main enclosure while the remaining penguins were fed, and witnessed the result of the previous night's conversations.
P7 waddled directly over to one of the eldest, who stood with his back to P7, head half turned and flippers raised. P7 approached him in a submissive pose, head and shoulders down and forward, went under his flipper and then stood upright next to him. He then turned his head towards her and they gently stroked beaks, signifying her acceptance into the mini colony. After her acceptance into the colony she was found in the company of the younger chicks as one of the group, not the leader. Best of all - no more regurgitating her food.
When the penguin chicks arrived they saw P7 (older than they) as the leader, which confused and distressed her after a short period (old enough to be a baby sitter but not old enough to be a mummy?). Initially she became a bit of a bully, chasing them from each of the burrows in the enclosure, demonstrating strong territorial behaviour. The chicks were then moved to a separate aviary, however P7 then decided that that aviary should be her special territory and became distressed by them being in there. In another attempt to calm things down, P7 was placed in that aviary and the orphaned chicks were allowed to roam the main enclosure. This worked for a little over 24 hours, however the chicks decided that their favourite space was adjacent to P7's aviary and the noise they made distressed P7 - she didn't just want to be removed from them, but wanted them gone entirely! With her in continual distress and regurgitating about half of her meals, P7 lost weight and had to be brought back inside to calm her down and allow her to keep food down and regain some of the weight she'd lost.
On being returned to the enclosure P7 was placed in a small aviary and was fine for 24 hours. However, the next night the birds were very noisy as some very complex conversations emanated from the enclosure, particularly between P7 and the two eldest chicks. Whilst P7 had been separated from the others, the two eldest penguin chicks had become co-leaders of the mini colony. The next morning P7 ate breakfast and as soon as she was on the ground it was regurgitated but this time, instead of looking angry or defiant, she looked depressed and sad. Not knowing what else to do, her carer took her out to the main enclosure while the remaining penguins were fed, and witnessed the result of the previous night's conversations.
P7 waddled directly over to one of the eldest, who stood with his back to P7, head half turned and flippers raised. P7 approached him in a submissive pose, head and shoulders down and forward, went under his flipper and then stood upright next to him. He then turned his head towards her and they gently stroked beaks, signifying her acceptance into the mini colony. After her acceptance into the colony she was found in the company of the younger chicks as one of the group, not the leader. Best of all - no more regurgitating her food.
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Once part of the group, P7 quickly rose in the hierarchy and would take charge of the young chicks and protect them from the 'horrible, nasty human' who came in to feed them. She would lead these chicks away from the human at feed time, sneaking away around the pool and doubling back to a burrow that had previously been checked and found empty. On one occasion, it took more than half an hour to find them. She insisted on being fed last so that she could maintain her guardian role.
Her role in the mini colony also included taking penguins newly introduced to the enclosure and welcoming them to the group and looking after them. This welcoming behaviour involved similar actions to the gentle stroking of beaks.
Basically, this all means that she learned 'to penguin' and knew how to be part of a colony. As a result, she was a happier penguin, albeit not happy with humans - a proper penguin attitude.
All but one of the orphaned chicks were released on the 23rd October but, fortunately for P7, the youngest remained for another 2 weeks. P16 & P17 (both hit by cars, in separate incidents) also arrived in this 2 week period, which meant that P7 continued to have company and did not become distressed at the loss of the mini colony.
Her role in the mini colony also included taking penguins newly introduced to the enclosure and welcoming them to the group and looking after them. This welcoming behaviour involved similar actions to the gentle stroking of beaks.
Basically, this all means that she learned 'to penguin' and knew how to be part of a colony. As a result, she was a happier penguin, albeit not happy with humans - a proper penguin attitude.
All but one of the orphaned chicks were released on the 23rd October but, fortunately for P7, the youngest remained for another 2 weeks. P16 & P17 (both hit by cars, in separate incidents) also arrived in this 2 week period, which meant that P7 continued to have company and did not become distressed at the loss of the mini colony.
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P17 was a young adult male who had suffered an open head wound which, though it healed well, meant that he was not waterproof and he therefore had to stay in until he moulted. He had a very calm demeanour, and proved to be a bit of a ladies' man. He shared himself amongst any females in care, engaging in much mutual preening. He was not aggressive with any males, but tended to remain separate from them. As it can be very difficult to tell the sexes apart, P17 was very useful during his stay for indicating the sex of the penguins that came into care. P7 adopted him and tended to order him around a lot. If he got tired of this, he would spend more time with P16. P16 had suffered a closed head wound and she recovered within 3 weeks. P7 initially looked after her but, as she recovered, she separated from P7, although she enjoyed the attentions of P17.
P20 and P21 (from the Winter-Spring period 2019) and P1 (from the Summer-Autumn of 2019/2020) also proved to be females.
[And, yes, the numbering system can get confusing when the seasons' visitors overlap, but think about how difficult it could get in the future if the numbers continued to run consecutively. And, naming each penguin can itself get confusing.]
P20 & P21 both came in on the one day, and P1 three weeks later, all three covered in oil. They were released together at the end of the first week in January, so were all established guests, remaining in care for a month and more.
P7 looked after them all and with her company, they settled in very quickly. With numerous other penguins in care, she took no exception at this stage to P17 flirting with other females, and seemed content as he would share his time equally with her. As P20, 21 and P1 neared their time for release, he spent less time with them and more with P7.
January also brought an influx of fledglings that had got themselves into trouble, so there were frequently groups of 4 or 5 young penguins for P7 to look after. She continued to take her role as carer very seriously and would guard them from human interference.
P20 and P21 (from the Winter-Spring period 2019) and P1 (from the Summer-Autumn of 2019/2020) also proved to be females.
[And, yes, the numbering system can get confusing when the seasons' visitors overlap, but think about how difficult it could get in the future if the numbers continued to run consecutively. And, naming each penguin can itself get confusing.]
P20 & P21 both came in on the one day, and P1 three weeks later, all three covered in oil. They were released together at the end of the first week in January, so were all established guests, remaining in care for a month and more.
P7 looked after them all and with her company, they settled in very quickly. With numerous other penguins in care, she took no exception at this stage to P17 flirting with other females, and seemed content as he would share his time equally with her. As P20, 21 and P1 neared their time for release, he spent less time with them and more with P7.
January also brought an influx of fledglings that had got themselves into trouble, so there were frequently groups of 4 or 5 young penguins for P7 to look after. She continued to take her role as carer very seriously and would guard them from human interference.
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P17 also took the care of these young ones, sharing duties with P7 and as both he and P7 went into pre-moult, they would take shifts, allowing the other some "alone time".
P7 and P17 both began moulting towards the end of January and, fortuitously, few other penguins were in care during their moult, allowing them a well deserved break.
Moulting is a very uncomfortable time for penguins and they are not sociable during this period, preferring to stay hidden away from the world. The new feathers emerge, pushing through as the old feathers are shed. It must be very uncomfortable - their flippers become hot and swollen as the new feathers form under the skin.
P7 and P17 spent some time apart at the very beginning of moult but, as misery loves company, they soon huddled down together in one burrow, emerging just in the evening. Having a selection of burrows to choose from, when one was too filthy, they would move to an adjacent one -just until it was cleaned out, and then they would return.
To emphasise the point that they wanted to be left alone, they would dig out sand from inside, filling the burrows' openings.
P7 and P17 both began moulting towards the end of January and, fortuitously, few other penguins were in care during their moult, allowing them a well deserved break.
Moulting is a very uncomfortable time for penguins and they are not sociable during this period, preferring to stay hidden away from the world. The new feathers emerge, pushing through as the old feathers are shed. It must be very uncomfortable - their flippers become hot and swollen as the new feathers form under the skin.
P7 and P17 spent some time apart at the very beginning of moult but, as misery loves company, they soon huddled down together in one burrow, emerging just in the evening. Having a selection of burrows to choose from, when one was too filthy, they would move to an adjacent one -just until it was cleaned out, and then they would return.
To emphasise the point that they wanted to be left alone, they would dig out sand from inside, filling the burrows' openings.
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Once they had finished moulting, it was almost time for their release. As they had become closely bonded, and P7 had never been to sea, it was decided that they would be released together. And fortunately, they had also been found within the same region. P17 had been found within Drs Rocks, and P7 had originally come from a short distance to the west.
Whilst we waited for good weather for the release, it was fitness training for both birds, but particularly for P7. Swimming all day showed that both birds were beautifully waterproof, and P7 was particularly happy to stay in the water, and even after 9 hours still objected to getting out of the pool.
Whilst we waited for good weather for the release, it was fitness training for both birds, but particularly for P7. Swimming all day showed that both birds were beautifully waterproof, and P7 was particularly happy to stay in the water, and even after 9 hours still objected to getting out of the pool.
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At first light on the morning of 24th February 2020 P7 and P17 were released into calm seas. As their boxes were tilted into the water, P7 remained in hers eyeing the lapping waves until she saw P17 in the sea, where she then quickly joined him. P17 oriented himself to the coastline, recognising that he was home, but they both stayed inshore for quite a while, P17 staying close to P7 and occasionally calling softly to her as she had her first experience of the sea. She appeared to be playing, diving, and swimming in circles and with each circuit coming up beside P17. He continued to call softly to her, with her occasionally answering.
After sometime they both showed that they were predator aware, diving deep as a group of gulls flew overhead, and they then began to head out to sea, P17 taking the lead and occasionally stopping and waiting for P7 to reach his side.
It is a privilege to be able to see into the lives of these wonderful birds, to get to know their individual personalities. We talk about them being a social species, but we often forget that every social group is made up of individuals and for it to function as a social group, different individuals take on different roles.
After sometime they both showed that they were predator aware, diving deep as a group of gulls flew overhead, and they then began to head out to sea, P17 taking the lead and occasionally stopping and waiting for P7 to reach his side.
It is a privilege to be able to see into the lives of these wonderful birds, to get to know their individual personalities. We talk about them being a social species, but we often forget that every social group is made up of individuals and for it to function as a social group, different individuals take on different roles.
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