The fiordland penguins are timid and shy and nest in coastal forests along the fiords of southern New Zealand. They are threatened by habitat destruction, fisheries and introduced predators. It is estimated there be only 1,000 breeding pairs left in the wild.

The Fiordland Crested Penguin, so-named Groucho Marx penguins because of their distinctive bushy eyebrows, is one of the world's most endangered penguin species and is usually found in the frigid sub-Antarctic waters off southern New Zealand.

The male penguin was found at Norah Head, a sleepy beachside hamlet about 50 miles (80 km) north of Sydney, last November. The penguin, nicknamed "Munroe" was exhausted and suffering respiratory problems after his trans-Tasman trek.

He was taken to Sydney's Taronga Zoo, where he is now the only male of his species in captivity in the world. Restored to ruddy good health after medical checks and a steady diet of pilchards, Munroe will soon be introduced to the zoo's other fiordland penguins "Chalky" and "Milford," the only two females in captivity, and get down to the job at hand.

The distinctive call of fiordland penguins has been described as a cross between a grunting pig and a goose with a cold.

The zoo's penguin keeper Mel Grainger said Chalky and Milford had appeared keen to breed, laying eggs each year and taking turns sitting on them in an attempt to incubate the infertile eggs.