This Rockhopper Penguin, typically found on remote Southern Ocean islands, made an unexpected stop on a beach in Arniston, South Africa – thousands of kilometers from home!
Found injured and underweight (likely from a dog bite), Rocky was brought to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) on 1 February. Thanks to the expert care of our team, led by penguin rehabilitator Xolani Lawo and our vet, Dr Annamarie Robberts, Rocky has made an incredible recovery.
Rocky’s Journey:
- Gained over 1 kg in just a few weeks
- Fully healed from a flipper injury
- Completed a 25-day moult
- Now weighs a healthy 3.4 kg
- Parasite-free and ready to return to the wild!
Next Step – Satellite Tagging!
To further Rocky’s remarkable story, we are satellite-tracking his return to the open ocean to help understand the mysterious migration of Rockhopper Penguins — a rare and valuable research opportunity.
A special thanks goes to Bruce Dyer, who collected the coded satellite tag from Dr Newi Makhado and drove all the way to Gansbaai to assist with the tag attachment.
Bruce has worked extensively on seabirds since 1986 and has visited nearly all southern African breeding sites. His seabird research spans across the Prince Edward Islands (26 voyages), Tristan da Cunha, Gough and Bouvet Islands, Antarctica, and Tanzania. His decades of dedication to seabird conservation have made him a respected figure in the field, and we are honoured to have had his support with Rocky’s tagging.
Rocky, ready to go!
The Agulhas Current, flowing south-westward along South Africa’s east and south coasts, acts as a natural conveyor belt. The warm, fast-flowing waters will offer Rocky a swift and smooth path for his long journey home.
Why This Matters:
Every penguin has a story. At APSS, we are committed not just to saving lives, but to learning from each one to protect future generations of seabirds.
Rocky was released on Freedom Day after an three-hour journey aboard Marine Dynamics’ Whale Whisperer.
Would you like to be part of Rocky’s journey?
If you’d like to contribute towards the cost of Rocky’s satellite tag, we’d be delighted to share his unique tracking code with you — so you can follow his incredible journey alongside us.
Please click below!
