Wellington Zoo’s plan to release an Adélie penguin back into the wild was postponed on Friday due to unexpectedly warm weather.
The penguin, native to Antarctica, had shown signs of overheating on Wellington’s south coast and appeared hesitant to leave the beach. She had been found on Petone Beach earlier in October and was under care at the zoo for a health check, which confirmed she was free from bird flu.
When the release attempt was made, the penguin seemed reluctant to swim away. She paddled in the shallow water but quickly returned to the shore. As temperatures rose, the zoo staff noticed signs of heat stress and decided to bring her back into her cool enclosure. The zoo’s team believes her reluctance may stem from being alone, as Adélie penguins are usually surrounded by large colonies in Antarctica, where they rely on each other for safety, especially with predators like orcas in the water.
For now, the penguin will remain in the zoo, but her release will be reconsidered with help from New Zealand’s Department of Conservation. A new release date has not yet been set, and for the time being, the penguin will stay out of public view.
