Little penguins take a swim

AFTER a quick farewell to mum, Bluey the penguin set off to make his way in the world yesterday.

Movig out ... penguin carer, Ben Curry (left) and vet Sam Gilchrist (right) relocate three Little Penguins from Sydney Aquarium to a secret location on Sydney Harbour. Picture: Jim Trifyllis

AFTER a quick farewell to mum, Bluey the penguin set off to make his way in the world yesterday.

The young seabird was one of three released into Sydney Harbour, marking the final phase of a three-year program to boost numbers in the Harbour's colony of endangered Little Penguins.

Sydney's penguins make their home on the Manly peninsula in Australia's only mainland colony.

The birds, which grow to just 30cm tall and about 1kg in weight, are the world's smallest penguins.

They have had a hard time, fighting to rebuild their numbers against foxes, dogs and a senseless attack by vandals who destroyed nesting boxes.

But the Department of Environment and Conservation has introduced 57 wild and captive-bred birds to the colony and brought new hope that its future is secure. Eight-week-old Bluey and his two companions were bred at Sydney Aquarium.

The trio spent last night in nest boxes on a beach, to acclimatise themselves to their new lives in the great outdoors.

This morning Sydney Aquarium aquarist David Watts is due to open the boxes and the birds, if all goes to plan, will make their way out to sea.

"Hopefully we'll see them in two or three years time," Mr Watts said.

Penguins bond with the place where they first touch water and so they will return when they are old enough to breed and nest.