BUENOS AIRES — Twelve black-and-white Magellanic penguins have been returned to the chilly seas off the Atlantic coast of Argentina after they were rescued suffering from issues including malnutrition and anemia and nursed back to health.

The boot-high penguins waddled down a windswept sandy beach after being released by conservationists, paused for photos with onlooking beachgoers and children, before taking the plunge back into the sea and swimming off for freedom.