What’s next for Little Penguin Tib?
Many of you would have heard about the little penguins injured in Burnie last week.
Sadly “Tib” was one of the little penguins who suffered this traumatic experience. He was left in pain with his leg dangling and his toe badly torn up as a result of the alleged abuse.
The little penguin arrived at the Forth Valley Vet clinic in need of urgent treatment. Tib came in with a fractured tibia, a broken toe dirty with sand and debris and other mild external wounds. We fondly nicknamed the little penguin - Tib
Orthopaedic surgery was performed to help save Tib’s leg.
Orthopaedic surgery for Tib meant fixing a very small metal plate inside the leg with a set of tiny screws less than 2mm in diameter. Dr Jahk Hughes and experienced surgical vet nurse Taya performed the surgery. Dr Julian Wissman focused on keeping Tib anaesthetised.
It was intricate surgery inserting a tiny metal plate, even tinier screws, navigate around small vessels and small fragile bones. It took over two hours for the team to perform. Unfortunately with extensive damage, Dr Jahk also had to remove a small section of one of Tib’s toes and remove some feathers during the surgery
Still fragile Tib must now learn to trust humans, so he can begin the long journey of healing and rehabilitation.
Over the coming weeks the team at Forth Valley vet clinic will be working closely with Kathy, an experienced penguin wildlife carer with Penguin Rehab & Release who is caring for Tib. Our team will be checking in on the healing progress of Tib’s leg and repeating radiographs to see how the bone is repairing.
It will be a long process of care and rehabilitation. Tib’s leg will hopefully heal but waterproofing feathers will take many more months to return.
Despite the pain he's endured, Tib is still a curious and cheeky little penguin. And with patience and care from an amazing team of volunteers, we hope Tib makes a full recovery to return to his family and home in the wild.
Tib's story is a powerful reminder that animals deserve our love, respect, and protection. It's up to all of us to speak up when we see animal abuse or neglect, and to do everything we can to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Police have advised that three youths have been identified and charged with alleged offences relating to animal cruelty and the maiming and killing of a Little Penguin on Burnies foreshore.
❤❤❤ Our heartfelt thanks goes to the incredible team of volunteers, rescuers, wildlife carers, vets, and vet nurses all supporting Tib and many other penguins around Tasmania.
We will keep you posted on Tib’s recovery
