An adélie penguin who made a long 3000-kilometre journey through icy waters and waddled ashore a New Zealand beach has returned to the wild.
The confused bird — called Pingu — was first spotted at Birdlings Flat on the South Island on Wednesday by local Harry Singh.
After observing the lost bird struggling to make sense of the unfamiliar shore, Mr Singh got in touch with rescuer Thomas Stracke of Christchurch Penguin Rehabilitation.
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New Zealand's Department of Conservation shared photos and video of the bird's release yesterday, which occurred along the shores of the Banks Peninsula where no dogs roam.
"After being cared for overnight in Christchurch, this morning our team released this bird back into the wild at Bank's Peninsula," the department said.
"This bird is a long way from home and was a little worse for wear when he was discovered on a Christchurch beach."
Little Pingu was filmed staring at the water before turning and waddling down the pebbled shoreline.
A rare visitor to New Zealand
Pingu's arrival is the third time in recorded history an adélie penguin has found its way to New Zealand, an online encyclopaedia of New Zealand birds said.
Rescuer Mr Stracke told Stuff he was shocked to see the bird.
"I never expected an adélie when I got the call," he said, explaining he was expecting a blue penguin.
"I was quite surprised... it probably just lost its way."
Remarkably blood tests showed Pingu was just dehydrated and a little underweight after the marathon swim.
He was given fluids and a "fish smoothie" via a feeding tube before getting a couple of days' rest.
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