A rare Adélie penguin that washed up at Petone last month has begun its journey back to Antarctica with the help of police, the Department of Conservation and Wellington Zoo.
The penguin had been taken to the Ōrongorongo River east of Wellington on November 1 to a release point but did not go into the ocean.
However, Monday’s release on the Cook Strait with the help of the police vessel Elizabeth IV and the Department of Conservation was successful.
Wellington Zoo said the penguin dove straight into the sea as soon as the crate holding her was opened.
“She immediately started swimming south towards Antarctica, and we’re hopeful that she’ll make it home soon.
“Thank you to everyone who has spent several long days and nights working towards this release.”
The capital city’s zoo had been looking after the penguin since it was found on Lower Hutt’s Petone Beach in October.
In a post to its Instagram page, Wellington Zoo said she was spotted at an off-leash dog walking area of the beach where she was at “significant risk from curious or excitable pets”.
“Luckily, members of the community were eager to help [the Department of Conservation] protect her and local dog owners leashed their dogs and kept them away.”
The veterinary team at the zoo’s animal hospital The Nest Te Kōhanga gave the penguin a thorough health check upon her arrival.
This included X-rays, blood work and a gastroscopy to assess her condition and make sure she was free of illness.
Adélie penguins are a rare sight in New Zealand, with their usual habitat being Antarctica and some sub-Antarctic islands.