Periwinkle, a young Magellanic penguin, made his debut today at the zoo’s Penguin Point after overcoming a challenging start in life.
The five-month-old penguin recently underwent a second surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right leg. While Periwinkle will wear a special boot for stabilization for the next few weeks, his determination to thrive has inspired everyone who has cared for him.
“He’s a fighter,” said Head Veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf, who noted that this specific surgery may be the first ever on a Magellanic penguin. “Periwinkle still has a long journey ahead and will likely need surgery on his left leg. But, for now, our focus is on helping him heal.”
Periwinkle receives laser treatment twice a week and regular physical therapy to help him regain his lost range of motion. Remarkably, zoo guests can see him swimming effortlessly with his special boot and splashing in the water alongside the other members of the penguin colony.
As a “miracle” chick, Periwinkle hatched in late May under the diligent care of zoo staff. His parents, Purple and White, had laid eggs before, but the chicks had never survived.
In a historic first for Point Defiance Zoo, keepers and veterinary staff stepped in to incubate the penguin eggs, creating a perfect environment of 97.8 degrees Fahrenheit and 56 percent humidity. Daily checks and candling sessions allowed the penguin care team to monitor the embryos’ progress.
When Periwinkle hatched, he was smaller than average and struggled with an umbilical infection. Zoo veterinarians decided to hand-rear him, providing the extra care he needed to thrive.
Throughout his long recovery, Periwinkle was never alone.
“We always ensured he had a fellow penguin buddy behind the scenes for companionship and support,” said Curator Jen DeGroot.
Before the young penguin had his two surgeries, his keepers helped him in and out of the pool so he could participate in his favorite activities. Now that he is back home with the colony, zoo staff are closely monitoring his interactions with the other penguins.
“We want to ensure his quality of life remains high after everything he’s been through,” said DeGroot. “Periwinkle’s journey from a fragile chick to a resilient penguin is a testament to the dedication of the keepers, veterinary staff, and many others.”
Dr. Wolf agreed. “Periwinkle’s surgeries required a lot of collaboration.” Associate Veterinarian Dr. Kadie Anderson delved into veterinary literature and contacted colleagues across the country to see if there were similar cases. A consulting veterinary surgeon, Dr. Lauren Hamil, tackled the challenge of performing a complicated surgery on a species with ankle anatomy that is not well-described. Arthrex, a manufacturer of orthopedic devices, donated the necessary surgical implants. PawOpedic, a manufacturer of custom pet devices, created leg braces specifically for Periwinkle to support his leg after his surgeries.
“So many people inside and outside the zoo have helped this little penguin thrive,” said Dr. Wolf. “This is why I love zoo medicine — solving complex challenges through teamwork brings out the best in people.”
This is the eighth consecutive year penguin chicks have hatched at Point Defiance Zoo through the Association of Zoos’ & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a managed breeding program for Magellanic penguins.
Magellanic penguins are native to the South American shores of Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil. Several factors threaten them in the wild, including the proliferation of plastics in the ocean, spills of oil and other hazardous materials, and overfishing.
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