Scientists don’t know how the male penguin, who’s been named Gus, got so lost – travelling thousands of kilometres from Antarctica to Ocean Beach in Denmark, about 430 kilometres south of Perth.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is hopeful it can get him home.
It’s believed to be the furthest north sighting of an emperor penguin and with the flightless bird a long way from home, sprinklers are being used to keep him cool in Western Australia’s hot temperatures.
It’s believed Gus travelled more than 6500 kilometres from Antarctica, with experts saying he may have followed a current and ended up further north than planned.
Standing one metre tall and weighing 23 kilograms, experts say the emperor penguin shows signs of being malnourished.
“The bird’s sort of turned at an angle and I could see its backbone protruding and I thought this bird is well undernourished, so that was a real consideration for bringing it in,” seabird rehabilitator Carol Biddulph said.
It’s hoped Gus will return to the wild in a few weeks.
“Never in my wildest thoughts would I thought I’d ever have an emperor penguin to care for.
“It’s just such a privilege to be part of this birds journey.”
