This is the dramatic moment wildlife rescuers raced to save a stranded penguin found helplessly lying on a beach with its head buried in the sand.

Catherine Hauw, 35, a wildlife veterinarian, was alerted by a jogger who spotted the exhausted African penguin stranded on Brenton-on-Sea beach in South Africa on April 28.

The wildlife vet rushed to the scene alongside a medical assistant and discovered the critically endangered bird weak and motionless with its beak buried in the sand.

Using a towel and a box, the rescuers carefully carried the penguin from the beach before transporting it to a nearby veterinary clinic for urgent treatment.

The penguin was examined by vets, who found the animal had suffered only a small wound to its abdomen.

Experts believe the injury, likely caused by a predator attack, slowed the penguin down and caused it to become separated from the rest of its colony.

Catherine, from Paris, France, said: “We were quite concerned when we first arrived on the scene.

“We had no idea how long the penguin had been lying there, and we just really wanted to make sure it was alive.

“Once it lifted its head, we knew that was a good sign, but it still needed our help.”

The critically endangered African penguin was discovered stranded on the beach by a jogger, who quickly alerted a local wildlife helpline.

Catherine said: “It’s really important in these situations that if a member of the public discovers the animal, they contact professionals.

“We were able to assess the penguin’s health on the beach and safely take it to a general vet’s clinic nearby.”

At the clinic, Catherine and the veterinary team confirmed the penguin had not suffered any serious injuries and was not malnourished.

After being treated with electrolytes for dehydration, the exhausted bird was transported to a specialist sanctuary, where it will be rehabilitated before being released back into the wild.

Catherine added, “The workers at the vet clinic took the penguin to a sanctuary that helps these animals recover.

“They also release the penguins back out into the wild as part of a colony, so they’re not left alone.

“This penguin is currently still at the sanctuary, waiting to be released with a new family.”