Nine penguins, including five fluffy chicks, some just days old, have been found by members of the public on Phillip Island (Millowl), struggling to stand, walk or showing other signs of distress.

The penguins were rescued and brought to Phillip Island Nature Parks’ Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre where they are hand fed up to four times a day until they are strong enough and a healthy weight to be released back into the wild.

Researchers at the Nature Parks believe rising ocean temperatures are forcing some fish to move to cooler waters, which means penguins are travelling further in search of food. Despite the long trips, Phillip Island’s world-famous penguin colony are still returning in large numbers to the Penguin Parade each night. But at this time of year, during breeding and moulting season, penguin chicks are at risk of starvation as their parents continue to spend longer at sea feeding before returning to their burrows.

Senior Phillip Island Nature Parks Wildlife Welfare Officer, Brittany Pullin, said while not uncommon to have multiple penguins in care at one time, having nine penguins including five chicks and other seabirds at once, makes for busy days for staff caring for the birds and responding to wildlife rescue.

“The penguin prey has moved further offshore which means the parents have to swim further out to find food to stay alive, which means it takes longer to return to feed chicks, often over numerous days, resulting in starving chicks,’’ Ms Pullin said. “In fact, adult penguins will choose to feed themselves first, before returning to their chicks.”

“The chicks in care are still fluffy so they need to moult the downy feathers, before getting their first waterproof feathers so they can take the brave step of swimming back in the ocean.”

“As these feathers grow, the team at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre will continue to feed the chicks fresh fish and will monitor their weight, behaviour and health conditions. Once moulting completes and adult feathers have grown, swim testing in the specially designed rehabilitation seabird swimming pools will commence. “Also in care are some slightly older little penguins who are of fledgling age. This is when penguins will leave the nest and begin their life at sea. These penguins came into care underweight and suffering from malnutrition and in poor health at Christmas time. The penguins have gained weight, improved their strength and are maintaining good feather condition and swim tests are underway.’’

All the penguins will be microchipped and released into the wild so researchers can follow the individuals from hatching and across their life cycle. Rangers at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre are bracing preparing for more penguins to enter rehabilitation over the next week, as weather patterns are showing there may be heatwave conditions.

Heatwaves pose significant risks to penguins, especially during summer breeding and moulting. Temperatures above their comfort zone of 27-30 degrees Celsius can cause heat stress, with burrows regularly exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.

People can help penguin rescue, rehabilitation and release by donating or adopting a penguin with the Penguin Foundation penguinfoundation.org.au to continue their lifesaving efforts for penguins and other seabirds.

Each year the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre responds to between 1500 and 2000 calls relating to injured wildlife on Phillip Island, and provides rescue, care and rehabilitation to up to 600 native animals, including approximately 64 little penguins and 54 other seabirds each year.

It is funded through Phillip Island Nature Parks ecotourism activities and the Penguin Foundation adopt a penguin program, and supported by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.