Emperor penguin Gus unexpectedly travels 3400 km to Australia

Confused penguin presumed to have hitched a ride on an iceberg via ocean currents

Rescuers at Phillip Island Nature Parks took Gus into their care until he can be returned to Antarctica

Phillip Island Nature Parks staff were surprised to find a very long way from home emperor penguin on an Australian beach on July 19 this year. Gus, as he has come to be known, is thought to have hitched a ride on an iceberg from his home in Antarctica all the way to Phillip Island. He is more than 3400 km from his home, and getting him back there is a complex process, according to Phillip Island Nature Parks ranger, Tammi Wright.

It is unknown how long Gus had been on Phillip Island, but he was found at Summerland Beach by a couple walking their dog. Upon discovering the penguin, they called Phillip Island Nature Parks for assistance and ranger Wright was able to catch Gus on the next beach along.

Gus was immediately taken to the Phillip Island Nature Parks Wildlife Hospital where he was examined and found to be underweight, but free from any obvious injuries.

“We have been working with the Australian Antarctic Division and Zoos Victoria over the past few days, and we are now making arrangements to get Gus back home to Antarctica,” Ms. Wright said. “The plan is to fly Gus to Tasmania where he will board the icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina, and be transported back to Antarctica in early August as part of the Australian Antarctic Program.”

The exact location where Gus will be released back into the wild will depend on the location of the sea ice and weather conditions at the time.

“We are confident that Gus will be able to make the journey back home and will be reunited with his own colony,” Ms. Wright said. “Emperor penguins are very resilient birds, and Gus is in good health, so we are hopeful that he will make it back safely."