Emperor penguin spotted a long way from home

An Antarctica-based emperor penguin has been spotted a long way from home - in New Zealand, after losing its way in the water while searching for krill and squid.

An Antarctica-based emperor penguin has been spotted a long way from home - in New Zealand.

While the species typically spend their entire lives in Antarctica, conservation experts have made their first sighting of the breed in 44 years in the country.

Although the bird is currently in good health, experts have said it needs to find its way back south if it is to stand a chance of survival.

The penguin - discovered by a dog walker on New Zealand's North Western coast - is thought to be about 10 months old, and is believed to have lost its way while in the water searching for krill and squid.

Biodiversity spokesperson Peter Simpson said: "It's amazing to see one of these penguins on the Kapiti Coast."