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Munro, who survived epic swim, hops on scales for a fishy treat

When Munro was found, he was malnourished after an epic 2000-kilometre swim across sub-Antarctic waters.

But now he weighs a healthy 3.3 kilograms and has a new home and a legion of fans at Taronga Zoo.

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Munro the penguin weighs in

RAW VISION: Taronga Zoo's Fiordland crested penguin Munro hops on the scales, allowing keepers to check his weight as he prepares to bulk up for his annual moult.

This week, the zoo's Fiordland crested penguin ran up to the scales, hopped on and then waited for his fishy treat. 

"All we need to do is place the scales down and he hops straight on," keeper Jose Altuna said.

"It's a very positive experience for him and he knows he'll get a tasty fish afterwards."

While Munro was not shy about revealing his weight, he is getting ready to bulk up even more for his annual moult. 


When moulting, penguins grow a new, clean set of feathers that are important for keeping them waterproof throughout the year. 

Munro, who is named after Munro Beach in New Zealand, will eat 1.2 kilograms of fish, bulking up to 5.5 kilograms as he prepares for the process, 

Penguins are not waterproof when they moult, so they stay on land for two to three weeks until new feathers emerge from below the skin.

During that time, they can't swim or hunt, so they increase their food intake beforehand to build up fat reserves.

"Munro won't eat for those three weeks, but he'll have two kilograms of reserve fat to keep him going," Mr Altuna said.

Penguins are particularly vulnerable to attack by land-based predators such as dogs, cats and foxes when they moult, zoo spokesman Paul Fahy said.

They protect themselves as best they can by taking shelter in nests and burrows.

"Our wildlife hospital here often cares for little penguins that have been rescued during moulting," Mr Fahy said.

This week's weigh-in also provided an opportunity for Munro to step out for a stroll through the zoo grounds, which is part of his regular exercise.

"Fiordlands are very social birds, so Munro loves interacting with people and exploring novel environments," Mr Altuna said.

"It also gives us a chance to talk to people about the threats facing Fiordland penguins in the wild, including habitat destruction and introduced predators."

Fiordland penguins are listed as a vulnerable species and are found only in the wet coastal rainforests of New Zealand's Fiordland and Stewart Islands.

Munro washed up, exhausted, near Norah Heads in 2006 after the estimated 2000-kilometre journey.

It is believed he got caught up in a storm that prevented him from returning home. 

 The risk of being a carrier of unknown disease meant that he could not be returned to the wild.

"He's always a hit with visitors," Mr Altuna said.

"When people meet Munro on a morning stroll, they really gain an appreciation for how extraordinary these penguins are."