AN overseas visitor to Portland was sent packing on the weekend, but only after he had recovered back to good health.

A month ago the visitor, a New Zealand native Fiordland penguin, washed up on the beach in Allestree and was found sick and skinny by local woman Wendy McFarlane and her daughters.

“The girls and I ride our horses along the beach at Dutton Way all the time, and we saw him there,” she said.

“We couldn’t really tell what type he was because we tried to give him some space, but when we came back 40 minutes later he hadn’t moved, we’re animal lovers so we called Wildlife Victoria.

“We called him ‘Wally’ because he's a bit of a Wally for getting lost and he was found on Wally’s ramp, so that sort of stuck and yesterday I told the girls they let Wally go again they were very happy.”

With the help of some local wildlife lovers, Wally ended up in ‘rehab’ under the care of Tracey Wilson at Mosswood Wildlife in Koroit.

According to Ms Wilson, it is a big year for Fiordland penguins and other seabirds, likely due to changing weather patterns drawing them off course.

“There’s ebbs and flows,” she said.

“We do specialise is seabirds and koalas, but it wasn't because that's what we necessarily wanted to do and we set up 17 years ago, it was because that's what was in the area and that's what we kept getting.

“Clearly this year has been a Fiordland year.

“It's been quite alarming how many have come in, not just in Victoria, but Western Australia and South Australia as well, and a lot of dead ones too.

“They only breed in New Zealand, so to have them coming ashore in Australia is unusual, they might hunt in our seas but they're not something that visits the land.”

She thinks it is the only Fiordland, or tawaki as they are known in NZ, that has been successfully released back into the ocean in Victoria in this time.

Caring for penguins can a tricky business, after treating any injuries, the next thing they need is hydration especially if they have been out at sea for too long, then gradually bringing back solid foods (in the form of pilchards), and getting them into the pool to rebuild the strength and waterproof feathers they will need to survive.

All this while their “feisty” attitude returns with their health.

That nature was strong with this penguin in particular, who “tore chunks” out of Ms Wilson’s hand while she tried to care for him.

So it was not too sad an occasion on Monday morning when on a beach near Killarney, Wally was released back into the wild, waddling his way into the water, hopefully bound for New Zealand.

For help with an injured or unwell animal call Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300, or contact a registered wildlife shelter directly.