The birds had been rescued after washing up along Uruguay’s coast suffering from hypothermia, malnutrition and injuries caused by fishing nets.
The Maldonado Society for the Conservation of Biodiversity (SOCOBIOMA) treated the penguins with veterinary care, food and time to allow their plumage to regain the waterproofing essential for survival at sea. Volunteers said many of the animals arrived weak, anaemic and unable to feed themselves due to a shortage of fish in nearby waters.
