Emperor penguin sailed from Antarctica to Australia, covering more than 3,500 kilometers in search of food (3 photos)

Scientists say the young penguin followed currents where there was plenty of food, and that's what helped it reach the other continent.





An emperor penguin has surprised surfers in Australia after traveling 2,100 miles (3,400 km) from its home in Antarctica — the longest journey ever recorded for the species.

Surfer Aaron Fowler was on the beach with a friend and his children when he spotted the emperor penguin.

"It was something huge, it was much bigger than a seabird, and it had a tail that stuck out like a duck. We thought it was coming out of the water," the man said.

He said that after coming out of the water, the penguin tried to slide on its belly, thinking it was snow, and just stuck its face in the sand.

Experts believe that the emperor penguin arrived in Australia from Antarctica, which is 3,400 kilometers away.



"The penguins that have been observed have never traveled this far. The furthest north they go from Antarctica is about 50 degrees south latitude. And Ocean Beach is 35 degrees south, so much further north than they've ever been before," said University of Western Australia research fellow Belinda Cannell.

While the nature of the penguin's journey remains unclear, Cannell believes it was likely adrift.

"These young are less than a year old, and they usually stay at sea until they're about three to five years old. Then they return to their natal colony when they start breeding. Penguins tend to follow certain currents where there are lots of different types of food. So maybe those currents just tended to be a little bit further north toward Australia than they normally are," Cannell said.

The wandering penguin is currently being looked after by wildlife caretakers. It's not yet known whether he'll stay in Australia or return home to Antarctica.