Treating penguins

The guys (and girls obviously) at SAMREC does an absolutely amazing job in the fight for the survival of the African Penguin.  The beauty of SAMREC is that you get to see a bit of what goes on behind the scenes and the other day I was lucky enough to be there while one of the patients was being treated.  Taylor, one of the centre's Emperor Penguins, was busy with a penguin needing daily treatment.  He started by feeding him his fish before continuing to put ointment on the penguin's feet. 

Penguins and other sea birds aren't shy to bite so the volunteers at SAMREC know all about trying to keep their fingers and arms away from those powerful little beaks.  At first I thought the bruises on Taylor's arms were from penguins until he pointed out that its gannet wounds.  A gannet's bite is worse than a penguin's.