Thousands of paua were washed up dead and dying on Kaka Point beaches last week.Residents contacted the newspaper on Thursday after discovering the shellfi
The Wildbase team operated on the penguin’s injured flipper, which took four weeks to heal. She was then able to start swimming and was transferred to an outdoor aviary and pool at Wildbase’s rehabilitation centre. The surgery required feathers to be plucked from the penguin’s shoulder, leaving a large bald patch, meaning before release, she needed to complete her annual moult to replace the feathers, as well as pass fitness tests. She was successful in both and was ready to go back to the wild six months later. Pauline Nijman, Wildbase Hospital and Recovery Supervisor said the National Aquarium’s native residents often needed their specialised skills and knowledge.