Gang 'picks up penguin' from Dublin city zoo

Thursday, 8 July 2010 15:29 UK

The missing animal was a Humboldt penguin

A penguin has been found wandering the streets of Dublin after she was stolen from the zoo in a suspected prank.

The penguin was kidnapped by a gang of men at about 0800 BST from the Phoenix Park in the capital of the Irish Republic. It was discovered several hours later a few miles away in the north of the city. It is thought the men broke into the zoo and smuggled the penguin out in a bag before making off in a taxi.
Gardai said officers were alerted to the theft on Thursday morning.

In a statement, Dublin Zoo described the theft as an annoyance and "not amusing". "Dublin Zoo confirms that a penguin which had been missing has been returned," a zoo official said. "The penguin went missing this morning at 8am but due to the security measures that are in place at Dublin Zoo and the rapid response of gardai, the penguin was soon recovered and returned. "Dublin Zoo was naturally relieved that the animal was returned safe and unharmed and back at the zoo."

The spokesman said the zoo was very annoyed and felt that the incident was neither frivolous nor amusing.

Source

Friday, July 9, 2010

Kellie the Humboldt penguin back safe in her enclosure at Dublin Zoo this evening.

Missing penguin returned to Dublin Zoo

Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 02:46 PM

A penguin was found on the street in Dublin today after being stolen from the zoo in a suspected prank.

The female penguin was kidnapped by a gang of men at about 8am from the Phoenix Park and discovered several hours later a few miles away in the north inner city.

It is believe the men broke in to the zoo before carrying the penguin out and making off in a taxi.

Gardaí said officers were alerted to the theft this morning.

Staff at the zoo confirmed that a penguin missing from the facility had been returned.

"Dublin Zoo is naturally relieved that the animal is safe and unharmed and back in the zoo," a statement said.

"However, we wish to underline our annoyance about this incident.

"The welfare and health of all animals is our primary concern and this kind of incident is not frivolous and is certainly not something amusing."

The zoo said the incident was a criminal matter and was now in the hands of the Gardaí.

It is understood the penguin was tracked through a microchip, fitted to all animals in the zoo.

The penguin at the centre of the kidnap ordeal was a 10-year-old female called Kelli. She is a Humboldt, a small breed native to parts of South America, mainly Chile.

Zoo staff reported the creature was none the worse for her outing after being safely returned to her mate Mick.

It is understood the pranksters climbed into the pen holding the penguins and stole Kelli. There were no reports of any damage to zoo property.