Silver the penguin, aged 22, one of the oldest discovered at Phillip Island’s megacolony

A 22-year-old starved penguin that hadn’t been seen for 16 years has reappeared on Phillip Island, making her one of the oldest ever discovered in the megacolony.

A starved penguin that hadn’t been seen for 16 years has reappeared on Phillip Island, making her one of the oldest ever discovered in the megacolony.

Silver, who is 22 years old, has lived more than three times the average life expectancy of a small penguin.

Silver was found wandering in front of the Penguin Parade stands and was at risk of being killed by a bird of prey.

It was when rangers rescued her that they discovered she had a silver band around her flipper — an identification method that ceased in 2004.

Since then, the penguins have been microchipped.

“The sad reality of nature is that most penguins don’t survive their first year of life,” Phillip Island Nature Parks research officer Paula Wasiak said.

“When we first met Silver back in 2002, she weighed more than a kilo at six weeks of age.”

Silver was taken to the Phillip Island Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where she was cared for before she was released back into the wild. Picture: Supplied

Wildlife ranger Skye Nichol added a penguin getting to its 20s was “really fantastic”.

“She’s a real little trooper our Silver,” she said.

Silver was last spotted by Phillip Island Nature Parks rangers in 2007.

The rare penguin was taken to the Phillip Island Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for assessment, where she was found to be a post moult animal who was struggling after fasting for three weeks.

She was malnourished and did not have enough energy to swim for more food.

Silver is 22 years old, more than three times the average life expectancy of a little penguin. Picture: Supplied.

After Silver gradually gained weight, she was swim tested and confirmed to be completely waterproof.

According to the Wildlife Clinic, little penguins must be able to swim for three hours and still have dry feathers to be considered ready for release back into the wild.

After five weeks of recovery, Silver was released back onto the beach over the Easter long weekend.

“We were really pleased to release Silver, it’s just a gorgeous day for a penguin release — we opened the box, she walked on out, had a little look around and then just scurried off into the sea and then swam away,” Ms Nichol said.

“I really love these release days, it makes the last five weeks working with her, building up her strength and building up her energy all worth it — it’s just a really fulfilling moment to see them get back out to the wild where they belong.”

Silver, a rare 22-year-old penguin, was found starved on the beach and has been identified as one of the oldest penguins ever seen at the Phillip Island mega-colony. Picture: Supplied

Rangers said despite Silver’s age, she was well equipped to continue her life in the wild, having already defied the odds and outlived tens of thousands of other penguins.

“Being so well fed served her well in the wild, and Silver is obviously tenacious,” Ms Wasiak said.

“The best place for her to be is out with the colony at sea.”

The oldest penguin ever recorded at Phillip Island was 25 and was last seen in 2001.

The island’s rehabilitation centre opened in 2011 and is funded through Phillip Island Nature Parks eco-tourism activities and the Penguin Foundation “adopt a penguin” program.

Each year, the centre responds to 1500 and 2000 calls relating to injured wildlife and provides rescue, care and rehabilitation to about 600 native animals, including approximately 64 small penguins and 54 other seabirds.