Pictures: Injured penguin released back to ocean after life saving surgeries

For six tough weeks Red the little penguin had the odds stacked against him. But thanks to some TLC and dedicated rehab, Red is back where he belongs.

Red the little penguin has bounced back after he was discovered with severe bite marks

One of Victoria's littlest treasures is back home after six weeks of intensive care and rehabilitation.

Red the penguin was found by the Wildlife Victoria Emergency Response Service on April 7 at Shelley Beach on Phillip Island. with bite marks on his leg, leaving him unable to be swim.

Wildlife Victoria’s travelling vet team performed emergency surgery on Red, who was then placed into 24 hour intensive care, before he was

Red was then transferred to Phillip Island Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic for ongoing care.

While the initial surgery saved Red’s life, a bald area of scar tissue affected his ability to grow the waterproof feathers he needed to survive in the ocean. More surgery on April 27 at Newhaven Veterinary Clinic fixed that little issue

“Wildlife Victoria is so pleased that this brave little penguin has made it back into the wild,’’ A spokesman for Wildlife Victoria said.

“Our Emergency Response Service took the initial call from a concerned member of the public who had spotted the penguin on Shelly Beach. Our travelling veterinary service was on hand to attend, which is so important for good outcomes for injured wildlife,”

Nature Parks’ Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic manager Kim Noy said after intense rehabilitation, Red was ready for his release.

“After several weeks in recovery, he was swim tested and found to be fully waterproof. At the Wildlife Clinic, little penguins must be able to swim for three hours and still have dry feathers to be ideal for release back into the wild,” Ms Noy said.

After six weeks Red had his final weigh-in, feed, and a swim before he was released back to the ocean.

“With the help Red received from Wildlife Victoria and our rehabilitation clinic, he is well prepared to find the other penguins out at sea and re-join the group,” Ms Noy said.