A weary traveler appeared on a beach in Christchurch, New Zealand this week. An Adelie penguin arrived in New Zealand after traveling nearly 2,000 miles from its home in Antarctica. This is only the third time this species of penguin has been seen in New Zealand.
Adelie penguins are your classic black and white tuxedo-looking penguins. They weigh approximately ten pounds and stand about two feet tall.
According to a report from NPR, the penguin was spotted on the beach in New Zealand and appeared to be hungry and dehydrated. It was taken in by wildlife officials where they gave the bird fluids and food. After keeping the penguin for a night, they released it back into the wild.
It is unclear exactly why the bird made the journey. According to the report, it is believed that penguins may have widely inhabited New Zealand 22 million years ago. The Adelie population is stable, but they could become affected by climate change.
Images From: Wild Bird Trust Facebook Page, China News Facebook Page
