Rare Penguin “Spotted” on South Georgia
// January 2nd, 2006 // Travel
Australian expeditioners on a recent Antarctic voyage made an unusual discovery when a rare “mottle-backed” King Penguin was found amongst an enormous flock at Gold Harbour, South Georgia.
This unique creature wore a coat more akin to a Dalmatian than a flightless sub-Antarctic bird. Genetic aberrations are not frequently observed amongst King Penguins and those currently documented do not include mottled or spotted birds such as that located by the expeditioners.
Dr Kirsten le Mar, a biologist with Adventure Associates who has also seen the resident mottled penguin, notes that this particular genetic mutation is extremely rare. The more common mutations are all black penguins (melanistic), brown and white penguins resulting from a lack of blue pigment in the feathers (leucocystic), or birds lacking all pigment (albino).”
Largely untroubled by the sudden attention and the clicking of dozens of cameras, “Spotty” merely carried on his penguin business within the colony and did not appear to be suffering any teases or taunts from his conventionally plumed brethren. Indeed, this bird appeared to be in good body condition, although it’s unclear whether it is a successful breeder.
The group were travelling on an expedition cruise organised by pioneering Sydney travel operator, Adventure Associates and Managing Director, Dennis Collaton was there to experience the occasion.
“The Antarctic is always full of surprises,” said Mr Collaton, a veteran of more than twenty polar voyages, “I’ve certainly never before seen a bird like this and I imagine few others have.”
Roderick Eime