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The first emperor penguin found in Australia<\/a> has been released after spending 20 days in the care of a wildlife expert, the Australian government said Friday.<\/p>\n The bird, nicknamed Gus by its caretaker, was released from a vessel off the southern coast of Western Australia on Wednesday morning, according to the state\u2019s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.<\/p>\n \u201cWith warmer weather on the horizon, it was time-critical to return it to the ocean where it could thermoregulate itself,\u201d it said in a statement.<\/p>\n The bird, which was malnourished when found on a popular tourist beach on Nov. 1, gained over seven pounds under the care of seabird rehabilitator Carol Biddulph and her husband, a veterinarian.<\/p>\n Their care and attention has given the Antarctic bird, found thousands of miles outside its home range and in a different climate, a \u201cfighting chance of survival,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n The team initially weighed the penguin at about 50 pounds, only around half the weight of a healthy male. The bird stands at some 3 feet, 3 inches tall. Its gender has not been confirmed by scientists.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so exciting to be part of the bird\u2019s journey \u2014 right from the rescue, right to the release,\u201d Biddulph said shortly before the penguin was freed. \u201cIt\u2019s really something so special.\u201d<\/p>\n Given the malnourishment, Biddulph first fed the penguin fluids and then slurry until it was able to eat whole fish. The bird was also given a mirror to compensate for its lack of companions.<\/p>\n \u201cGood luck, Gus,\u201d Biddulph shouted with a smile after the penguin dived into the water and swam away from the vessel. \u201cJust keep going south, Gus. Don\u2019t stop for anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n It remains unknown how the bird ended up arriving in Australia from its icy Antarctic home.<\/p>\n Emperors are the largest of all penguins, with an average height of 3 feet 7 inches. They are known to travel up to almost 1,000 miles on foraging trips that can last up to a month.<\/p>\n This article was originally published on NBCNews.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n