(CNN) — When the police call saying there’s been an arrest at your business, it’s usually cause for concern.
Known by the name kororā, which comes from the Maori language, the birds populate many regions throughout New Zealand and Australia and are famous for their blue plumage.
After being temporarily detained in the early hours of the morning by Constable John Zhu, the penguins were returned to Wellington Harbour, only a few blocks away from Sushi Bi.
In a statement posted on their Facebook page, the Wellington District Police wrote: “We received a call about 8:40 p.m. on Saturday night of a penguin on the road in Featherston Street. Police responded and with some help from members of the public released the penguin, described as ‘little and blue’, back into the sea.”
It wasn’t the first time the blue penguins — considered at-risk in the region — were spotted wandering past the harbor.
The Department of Conservation had been notified of the birds’ presence in town earlier in the week. A pair had been spotted nesting at a nearby railway station before the duo at the sushi restaurant was found, and it hasn’t been determined whether these were the same birds.
Although the penguins’ pit stop was a happy surprise for the restaurants’ patrons, many of whom were quick to snap a photo, their appearance posed a safety issue.
For the time being, the Wellington community is grateful that their sushi-loving blue neighbors have been returned to their home.
