CLARE PEDDIE, SCIENCE REPORTER
March 22, 2009 08:48pm
FIVE fairy penguins are being nursed back to health by volunteers after they were found covered in oil and washed up on a beach in the state's South-East.
SA Seabird Rescue at Torrens Island received a call from the ranger at Kingston on Saturday afternoon. The not-for-profit organisation staffed by volunteers was set up by Project Dolphin Safe to rehabilitate sick or injured sea and shore birds.
Founder and president Aaron Machado says the rangers had scrubbed the birds down before they were sent to the Torrens Island facility, but they still had a large amount of oil on their feathers and had to be scrubbed again.
"Unfortunately the detergent strips good and bad oils," he said.
"So we'll need to keep the penguins stocked up on oily fish for two or three weeks, until they build up water-proofing in their feathers again."
Rehabilitation officer Kerry Braun says the rangers were still looking for the oil slick and had informed local fishermen, boating people and friends groups. The source of the pollution remains a mystery.
"They've all been looking out, by boat and by land, for any sort of oil spill but they haven't found anything as yet."
She said it was unusual for such a small number of birds to be affected.
"These are the first birds that have made it to the beach," she said.
"We could be dealing with lots more birds in the next few days I guess, we just have to wait and see."
Anyone who finds a seabird in distress can call the emergency number 8262 5452.
Story from Adelaide Now@
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25225853-2682,00.html
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