An Emperor penguin found in Australia is returned to its natural habitat.

The first emperor penguin found in Australia was recently released back into the ocean after spending 20 days in the care of a wildlife expert. The bird, nicknamed Gus, was found malnourished on a popular tourist beach and gained over seven pounds under the care of seabird rehabilitator Carol Biddulph and her veterinarian husband. The penguin, weighing about 50 pounds and standing at 3 feet 3 inches tall, was given fluids and slurry before being able to eat whole fish. Despite being thousands of miles outside its home range, the penguin now has a fighting chance of survival. Its gender has not been confirmed by scientists. The release took place off the southern coast of Western Australia, where the bird dived into the water and swam away from the vessel. Emperors are the largest of all penguins, with an average height of 3 feet 7 inches, and are known to travel up to almost 1,000 miles on foraging trips lasting up to a month. The circumstances of the penguin’s arrival in Australia from its Antarctic home remain unknown, but it is hoped that Gus will continue its journey southwards and thrive in its natural habitat.

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