Follow up to the great excitement on 21 January in Cape St. Francis when a King penquin was rescued.

The King Penquin Elvis, as he is fondly known by his rescuers, (you know, King of Rock; King of penguins) was found at Rebel’s Rus, a secluded beach off Cape St Francis, by someone taking an early morning walk. He was just standing there, admiring the view.
Originating from the Sub-Antarctic Islands, which include Marion Islands and Prince Edward Islands, this little King, was a long way off course!
According to Trudi Malan of Ajubatus, the Marine Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, operating from Cape St Francis, Elvis, was in his moulting process. During this time he is not waterproof, and is unable to fish for his own prey. Trudi explained that penguins feed themselves up before they moult, and while their new feathers start to arrive, have to sit this time out on dry ground. Their fat reserves, if they are well prepared, should last them their entire moulting period.
Normally they would hunt around their breeding ground, but Trudi guesses that Elvis got a bit carried away (literally), and by the time he discovered he was in moult, had to stop off on the nearest piece of land, which happened to be Cape St Francis.
Elvis weighed in at 12.5kg, slightly below the average weight of a King Penguin, which normally weighs between 14 – 16kg. He is 85cm tall, and has settled in well at the rehabilitation facility.
He is being tested for Avian Malaria, which is not transmittable to humans, and Babezia, also an animal disease. His first test has come back clear, so hopes are up that Elvis will be able to return to the sea. Trudi explained further how critical it is for penguins to be free of all disease before they are allowed back into their natural environment: “Whole islands of birds can be wiped out by one sick penguin,” she said.
Even if Elvis passes the test, permission still has to be granted by Marine and Coastal Management, before he can be released. Ajubatus is a non-governmental organisation aimed at the rescue and rehabilitation of marine birds with specific focus on the highly endangered African Penguin. They are completely self funded and rely heavily on donations and fund-raising efforts to support their cause. The centre is the only functional rehabilitation centre in the Eastern Cape and is able to treat up to 200 penguins at any one time.
Visitors are afforded the opportunity to view the penguins currently in residence at the facility. They can also take a guided tour of the historic Seal Point Lighthouse as well as indulge in the mouth-watering cakes and light meals at the Coffee Shop.
This is a worthwhile experience so if you are in the area visit Elvis and enjoy a great cup of coffee and snack at the seaside.