Mosswood Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation caring for injured penguins

Mosswood Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation's Tracey Wilson said about 30 penguins came into her care before the weekend's chaotic storm, most of which have since died.

She said the penguins were rescued from all over the south-west, including Warrnambool, Killarney, Peterborough, 12 Apostles and Portland.

She said of those rescues, two penguins were adults and the rest were chicks.

"It's been a bumper year for breeding which is great but penguin chicks have an 80 per cent mortality rate and a lot just don't make it," Ms Wilson said.

She said there were six chicks remaining at the Koroit rehabilitation facility.

"Surprisingly the majority of the penguins in our care happened before the weekend's storm but it's still pretty terrible out there," Ms Wilson said.

"People aren't going out for their daily walk and they're also back at work so we don't have masses of people out there finding the little ones injured in the storm."

Ms Wilson said she was aware of dead penguins washing up along the state's coastlines this week.

She said she expected a surge in penguins requiring care when the wintry weather ended and more people returned to south-west beaches.

"You don't see penguins that don't need help," Ms Wilson said.

"If you see a penguin on the beach then that penguin is in trouble and you should ring for help."

MORE READS:

Ms Wilson said the six chicks in her care were mostly undersized or sick.

She said the penguins were being tubed with hydration, given antibiotics morning and night and slowly introduced to soft, mushy food before moving onto tiny bits of pilchard (fish).

If capable of standing, the chicks take dips in a pool to regain their strength.

Ms Wilson said the care was very labour-intensive, as well as expensive.

Mosswood Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation is a not-for-profit organisation.

You can donate at mosswoodwildlife.org.au.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

Subscribe.