Rebecca Manzi 14 Magellanic penguins have been able to return to their habitat after being found stranded on the Brazilian coast following a long journey in search of heat
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Fourteen Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) have been released back into nature at Praia do Moçambique, in Florianópolis, Brazil. It is the third release carried out this year by the R3 Animal Association, through the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project – PMP-BS.
After intensive rehabilitation, the penguins resumed their migration toward the breeding colonies in Patagonia, following the ocean currents. Every year, during the fall and winter months in the Southern Hemisphere, the Magellanic penguins travel several thousand miles to find food in warmer waters.
Their migration is dangerous, and especially young, inexperienced penguins frequently arrive stranded on the Brazilian shores. Many of the arriving birds were exhausted, under-nourished, or clearly drowning. Out of the 2,685 cases of penguins which appeared at the beaches in 2024, only 5.6% were reported as alive.
Two southern right whales were in contact
Recovery under the care of the R3 Animal Association is a very tedious process. The penguins are rehydrated, fed to their ideal weight, and treated for hypothermia. They also undergo swimming pool physiotherapy sessions that help them regain strength and stamina. When ready, they are released in groups of at least ten individuals, a behavior that simulates their social nature and enhances the success of their migration.
This release was very exciting, as the penguins were released into the wild and swam out to meet two southern right whales off the beach. It was a natural phenomenon that captured hope and harmony between species.
R3 Animal Association insists on these interventions, which are extremely necessary for maintaining biodiversity and awareness about the protection of marine ecosystems. Each penguin represents a triumph in wildlife and a witness to the combined efforts made by the scientists, volunteers, and the locals.
It also calls for reflecting on human-driven threats like pollution and overfishing, which threaten the survival of numerous marine species. Events like this release serve to remind one of the importance of protection against disruptions in the delicate balance of nature.
