Sunday, August 31, 2014

Frantic search continues for baby penguin last seen being stuffed into a box

  • A person was seen taking injured penguin from Manly on Friday morning
  • Authorities are desperate for information but say 'no one is in trouble'
  • The penguin has not been taken to any Wildlife rescue agencies or vets
  • Office of Environment & Heritage want to know the bird's fate - dead or alive 
By Lucy Thackray for Daily Mail Australia
An injured little penguin is still missing 24 hours after it was taken from Manly Wharf on Friday morning, with wildlife officers holding grave concerns for its safety.

Authorities are desperate to find the penguin, dead or alive, and are appealing for members of the public come forward with information, assuring those involved that ‘no one is in trouble.’‘A person was seen taking the injured penguin away in a box early on Friday morning, but we know they were well-meaning. 'We want to know the penguin’s fate and if it’s still alive, to get it to the right place for treatment,’ a spokesperson for the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage told Daily Mail Australia.

The injured little penguin was taken from Manly Cove after a member of the public was seen stuffing it into a cardboard box early on Friday morning
The injured little penguin was taken from Manly Cove after a member of the public was seen stuffing it into a cardboard box early on Friday morning

‘No one is in trouble. A box was a right thing to do, it’s a quiet and dark place which can calm down an injured animal. With our connections, we know the penguin hasn’t been delivered to any wildlife rescue services or vets in the area, which is extremely concerning. 'We’d just like to know if it’s safe. Penguins are a protected species that need specialised 

The authorities ask that the penguin is dropped it off to Taronga Wildlife Hospital as soon as possible or to call 9978 4785 – even if it did not survive. 'People should report all sick and injured Little Penguins to NPWS duty officer on 9457 9577 in the first instance.'

The stolen penguin was found on the eastern side of Manly Wharf. It was injured and distressed, with a 'chewed tail',
The stolen penguin was found on the eastern side of Manly Wharf. It was injured and distressed, with a 'chewed tail.'

Members of the public who saw the incident were under the impression that the person who took the penguin away was a certified wildlife officer. National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), WIRES and Sydney Wildlife had been called to help the ‘distressed’ bird, who was found with a chewed tail and was being attacked by other birds, according to the Office of Environment and Heritage. When an NPWS personnel arrived, the penguin had already been taken away by a member of the public.

Authorities are appealing to the public to come forward with information about the stolen penguin. They want to know what has happened to it, 'dead or alive.' They assure those involved that 'no one is in trouble.'
Authorities are appealing to the public to come forward with information about the stolen penguin. They want to know what has happened to it, 'dead or alive.' They assure those involved that 'no one is in trouble.'

‘It’s an educational process. Lots of people pick up injured wildlife, but it’s always best to call WIRES, NPWS or Sydney Wildlife instead of picking the animal up. ‘Even if friends of family come forward, we would be delighted to have some information. We know the person was well-meaning, we’d just like to get the animal to the right place if we can to receive the care it needs.' Even if the penguin has died, authorities would like to know its fate.  ‘We microchip the penguins in the colony. Even if the bird has died, we want to know and get the animal back if we can to record its death as part of our research with the colony.’ 

No comments: