AP074 was found unresponsive at Stony Point; after checking him, the team diagnosed him with Scoliosis and created a special outfit to help him stay upright.
Cape Town, South Africa (27 May 2024) — A very special penguin has been saved from a very horrible situation. The penguin, number AP074, was rescued from the Stony Point penguin colony on February 13th this year. He was found head curled to one side, weak, afraid, and alone. His head and neck were swollen and his breathing was laboured. He was taken to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) Seabird Hospital in Table View, Cape Town.
Upon admission, the SANCCOB veterinarians diagnosed AP074 with Scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine that can be both, painful and disabling.
It was clear that the diagnosis didn’t come about as a birth defect but due to an attack from a predator. A CT scan revealed that a number of vertebrae near the top of the bird’s back had been previously crushed and healed incorrectly.
“AP074 was unable to stand or walk upright. Attempts to swim resulted in trauma as its buoyancy was severely affected by the injured spine. As with all our seabird patients, a customised plan for rehabilitation was formulated and implemented to optimise its chance to survive in the wild. Swimming is an integral part of every seabird patient’s recovery journey, but unassisted swimming was not possible in this case.
And then, passion and preparedness led to an ingenious idea! Our rehabilitation team created a special ‘penguin pollyotter’ that enabled the seabird to stay upright during swims, avoiding the prospect of drowning.”
It has been 101 days since AP074 arrived at the hospital and while his recovery has been slow, he has progressed. The team are happy to see that the swelling in the head and neck has reduced, he is swimming again and is more alert. Even his posture has improved.
“Although the initial prognosis was bleak, our team is feeling positive. There is still a long road ahead, but with our team’s commitment paired with your support, we are optimistic that AP074 will make a remarkable recovery, and a grand return to its colony in the wild.”
They welcome donations in support of AP074’s journey. Those wanting to support this determined little penguin can do so here.
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