Gus the penguin, who landed on an Australian beach, released after 20 days in recovery
Gus' appearance marks the northernmost sighting of an emperor penguin, officials say.
An emperor penguin that made it to a beach in Australia was released back into the Southern Ocean after spending 20 days in recovery and gaining more than a few pounds, according to officials.
"It was ice to meet you, but it's time to say farewell," wrote the Parks and Wildlife Service in Western Australia on Facebook when announcing the penguin's release.
The "handsome" emperor penguin, named Gus, made a pitstop on Ocean Beach in Denmark, a town in Western Australia on Nov. 1, according to the Government of Western Australia's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
On Nov. 20, after 20 days of care, gaining 7.71 pounds and passing multiple veterinary health checks, Gus was released "under the guidance of a vet and a wildlife officer," the department said in a press release.
His caretakers, Carol Biddulph and her husband Graham, were also on board the vessel that took him out to sea when he was released.
How far did Gus the penguin travel?
Penguins are known to go on foraging trips that last up to a month and can span up to 994 miles, or 1,600 kilometers, according to the department.
Biddulph previously said in an interview distributed by the department that Gus appeared malnourished and she could see the bird's backbone when she arrived on the beach.
However, Gus traveled more than double that distance, and his surprising appearance on the Australian beach, which is around 2,100 miles from Antarctica, is the northernmost sighting of an emperor penguin.
Contributing: James Powel, Paste BN.
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