A juvenile Magellanic penguin startled swimmers at Rio de Janeiro’s Praia do Arpoador on 29 June, gliding through the warm surf only metres from sun-seekers. Videos of the lone bird, far from its Patagonian range, quickly circulated on Brazilian and international media. Wildlife biologists say the penguin probably veered off its usual route while pursuing fish during the species’ winter migration, which can take the birds up to 4,000 miles north toward the Tropic of Capricorn. Specialists urged beachgoers not to touch the animal and instead alert trained rescue teams. The Rio sighting coincides with a spike in strandings further south. Instituto Argonauta, which monitors marine fauna along Brazil’s southeast coast, reported that 43 Magellanic penguins were found dead on beaches in Ubatuba, Caraguatatuba, São Sebastião and Ilhabela between 1 and 3 July, while four others were rescued alive and are undergoing rehabilitation. Oceanographer Hugo Gallo Neto, president of Instituto Argonauta, called the migration period “an important time to reinforce care for marine fauna,” noting that early data show no single environmental factor behind this season’s mortality. The organisation is asking residents to report any stranded birds via its 24-hour hotline.