Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Adopting a penguin at Ramada Phillip Island makes ‘Happy Feet’ tap in delight

Tuesday, 22 January 2013
 
Ramada Phillip Island is helping the Penguin Foundation in its quest to protect and preserve the only remaining little penguin colony at Phillip Island. The nature retreat resort, which is managed by the Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Group, is sponsoring the Penguin Foundation by adopting a penguin and funding research and conservation work. The money will go towards projects like monitoring penguin burrows and sponsoring an Honours student to research penguins for 12 months.

The sponsorship is in line with the company’s global Wyndham Green program, which continuously strives to reduce its environmental impact with a number of environmental programs and initiatives.
“Ramada Phillip Island is delighted to become a corporate sponsor with the Penguin Foundation through the Adopt-a-Penguin program,” said Gavin Phillis, General Manager of Ramada Phillip Island. We understand that the sustainability of tourism on the island is a direct reflection of the little penguins and the thousands of tourists that flock to Phillip Island each year to view them. Couple this with our Wyndham Green Program and this opportunity became a great way for us to express our ongoing commitment to not only the environment, but also our appreciation to the Penguin Foundation and Phillip Island Nature Parks for all the work they do to make Phillip Island the best place to holiday in Victoria,” Mr Phillis added.

The Penguin Foundation, a registered charity organisation, will erect a commemorative plaque to thank Ramada Phillip Island on its new corporate sponsors board, which will hang at the recently refurbished Penguin Parade – an iconic destination that attracts more than half a million visitors annually.

Wave of generosity reaches our shores

Increased awareness of the plight of little penguins has triggered a wave of donations from Germany and other countries to Phillip Island. Penguin Foundation Officer Angela Szeitli confirms receipt of more than 40,000 jumpers, which were designed for little penguins. The number continues to climb. “We have people from all over the world knitting them. If they do not fit, we decorate them and sell them to some of our visitors who come here,” said Szeitli. “They are used in the advent of an oil spill. It prevents the penguin from preening and ingesting the oil. It also keeps the little penguins warm while they are waiting to be cleaned. We welcome the support and people can be assured the jumpers are being utilised,” said Szeitli.










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