Argentine penguins waddle back to sea after rehab on dry land
- Country:
- Argentina
Twelve black-and-white Magellanic penguins have been returned to the chilly seas off the Atlantic coast of Argentina after they were rescued suffering from issues including malnutrition and anemia and nursed back to health.
The boot-high penguins waddled down a windswept sandy beach after being released by conservationists, paused for photos with onlooking beachgoers and children, before taking the plunge back into the sea and swimming off for freedom. "We found these animals in a state of malnutrition and dehydration," biologist Sergio Rodriguez, in charge of the rescue center at the Mundo Marino Foundation, said on the beach near the town of San Clemente del Tuyu.
"In some cases they had issue molting, that is the natural replacement of their feathers which had been interrupted for various reasons including lack of nutrients, which means they lacked the feathers to withstand the cold sea waters." The lack of plumage, he explained, forced the penguins to retreat to the beach because they could not maintain their temperature in the sea.
"The needed to be treated with an adequate balanced diet provided by nutritionists and with a veterinary medical team," he said. There are some 2.2 million to 3.2 million adult Magellanic penguins, named for Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, mostly found around Argentina and Chile, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Mundo
- Argentina
- Portuguese
- Chile
- Atlantic
ALSO READ
Argentina's Milei sees 'second chance' for pared back reform bill
President Milei of Argentina seeks potential investment from Elon Musk during US tour
Rugby-Argentina fix dates and venues for tests against France
Argentina's government (and a bot) say inflation is easing. Shoppers aren't so sure
President Milei of Argentina to embark on US tour aiming to meet with Elon Musk, amid economic challenges