Dora the Kororā. Photo: National Aquarium of New Zealand / supplied
The National Aquarium in Napier has said goodbye to one of its beloved little blue penguins, after her medical condition grew too severe.
Staff described Dora the kororā as a princess among penguins - charismatic, curious and a little bit cheeky - and she was crowned the aquarium's penguin of the year in 2022.
Hand-reared by staff after being abandoned as a five-day old chick, she quickly became a favourite among visitors, greeting spectators by swimming right at the very front of the sanctuary pool.
She was also a mischief-maker, sometimes talking louder than the keepers during their presentations and maintaining a vendetta against staff members' bare legs.
The aquarium said Dora had needed special care over the past few years, including routine chiropractic treatments for a curve in her spine, which caused a limp.
But recently the limp had worsened, and the chiropractor work and other veterinary support were making little difference.
The team said a visit to the veterinarian for an updated X-ray confirmed an advance to the deterioration of her spinal condition to the point where it was greatly affecting her quality of life, and the decision was made to put her down.
From the team at the aquarium: "Be at peace little kororā. Ahakoa he iti he pounamu - although you are small, you are great."
