Emperor penguin discovered on WA beach, 3,500km away from home

Beachgoers have had the surprise of their lives after discovering an emperor penguin descending onto a Western Australia beach, possibly for the first time ever.

An emperor penguin has made a surprise visit to beachgoers in Western Australia, journeying more than 3,500kms from its home in Antarctica to Australia, possibly for the first time ever.

The penguin got a little lost and arrived on the shore of Ocean Beach in Denmark, 430kms south of Perth in early November, where it was spotted by local resident Aaron Fowler, who was enjoying a beach day with a friend and their children.

An emperor penguin has been found in Denmark, Western Australia, the furthest north the species has ever been recorded. Picture: DBCA, (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions)

At first, the group couldn’t quite tell what was coming out of the water.

“It was massive, it was way bigger than a sea bird,” he told ABC, explaining the penguin had a tail “sticking out like a duck”.

The bird, which was roughly one metre tall and “not shy at all” emerged from the waves and began waddling towards the group. “He just looked absolutely flawless,” the Denmark local said. Male emperor penguins can reach heights of 1.3m and a maximum weight of 45 kgs.

He made quite an entrance. Picture: DBCA, (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions)

The kids were beside themselves as the emperor penguin approached them, though Mr Fowler acknowledged they may not have “understood the coolness of what was happening”.

During its visit to the Denmark beach, the penguin was standing on the sand and exploring the area. “He tried to do like a slide on his on his belly, thinking it was snow I guess and just face planted in the sand and stood up and shook all the sand off,” Mr Fowler said.

This is the first known time an emperor penguin has made its way to Australia; the animals are usually found in icy conditions in Antarctica, which is a 3,500km journey.

“The tracked ones have never reached this far,” University of Western Australia Research Fellow Dr Belinda Cannell told ABC.

It travelled more than 3,500kms from Antasrtica, possibly searching for food. Picture: Miles Brotherson/ DBCA, (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions)

Emperor penguins are currently struggling to cope with the rapid change in sea levels, which is threatening their habitat and causing stress for the species. Dr Cannell explained it was possible the penguin got caught in a current while searching for food and travelled too far north.

The emperor penguin is currently being treated by a registered wildlife carer, who explained the bird was malnourished, and will receive rehabilitative treatment.

Originally published as Emperor penguin discovered on WA beach, 3,500km away from home