Gus the emperor penguin launched off WA’s south coast to return residence after being discovered removed from residence | USAEMALL.com

An emperor penguin that made headlines around the world after finding himself far from his Antarctic home has been released back into the wild, 3.5kg “chunkier”.

After spending 20 days in rehabilitative care and passing veterinary health checks, the emperor penguin was released into the Southern Ocean from a Parks and Wildlife Service vessel off WA’s south coast on Friday.

Gus the emperor penguin was found washed up on Ocean Beach, Denmark, on November 1 by local surfer Aaron Fowler, and was rescued later that day by local wildlife carer Carol Biddulp.

Ms Biddulp said she was pleased to say Gus, who weighed only 21.3kg when rescued, put on weight while under her care.

“Our main concern to begin with that the bird was very malnourished,” she said.

“He was very thin and so we had to go through a gentle process of refeeding him, not too fast, not too slow, just right, introducing fluids, then slurry towards whole fish.”

At one metre tall, Gus now weighs 24.7kg.

“He’s been putting on weight . . . and since we’ve had him, he’s put on three-and-a-half kilos . . . and he’s a much chunkier shape — he’s looking really good,” Ms Biddulp said.

A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions spokesperson said emperor penguins have been known to cover up to 1600km on foraging trips that last up to a month.

Ms Biddulph said she was inspired to name the penguin Gus after Roman Emperor Augustus, and that it “just seemed to suit him”.

She said Gus has taken a liking to a mirror set up in the penguin enclosure.

“He absolutely loves his big mirror and I think that has been crucial in his well-being, their social birds and he stands next to his mirror most of the time,” Ms Biddulph said.

Ms Biddulph said Gus did not give a “backward glance and just disappeared” when he was released into the ocean, and said “he just knew where he was supposed to be”.

“It’s been the most incredible experience and I’ve just loved it,” she said.

“But to see him swim off home — that’s the icing on the cake.”

Members of the public are urged to report any re-sightings of the emperor penguin along the WA coast to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.