Mumbles the Fiordland crested penguin is thought to have died of a heart attack. Photo / Paul Estcourt
Mumbles the roving penguin has died.
The Fiordland crested penguin is believed to have swum 1300km from the South Island to Muriwai last year.
Although the penguin, named after a character in the movie Happy Feet, was in poor health when found in December, she appeared to be
recovering.
But bird specialist Lyn MacDonald said Mumbles took a turn for the worse last week. "It was a big tragedy really. We raced to the vet and got medication, but nothing worked and a few hours later she was gone."
Ms MacDonald said it was thought Mumbles might have had a heart attack but the results of an autopsy this week would be needed to confirm that.
A vet had treated the penguin successfully for blood parasites and she had regained her appetite.
When Mumbles was found, Conservation officer Dave Houston said Muriwai was the furthest north he was aware of a Fiordland crested penguin travelling.
Only about 2000 breeding pairs of the penguins are left.
