The little penguins at Melbourne Zoo are returned to their exhibit. Picture: Jason EdwardsTHE
surviving members of the little penguin colony massacred by a fox at
Melbourne Zoo have returned home to their public exhibit.
Fourteen of the 29-strong colony were killed after a fox snuck in during the early hours of November 4. Keepers and zoo veterinarians check the penguins before their release. Picture: Jason EdwardsThe little penguins are back where they belong. Picture: Jason EdwardsHalf of the colony died in the fox frenzy. Picture: Jason EdwardsKeeper James Uren was among those devastated by the losses. Picture: Jason EdwardsThe
surviving 15 penguins have been sheltered in a secure area as their
devastated keepers installed a new electric fence and inspected the
zoo’s perimeter for entry points.
A fox caught wandering the empty exhibit four days after the attack was euthanased.
Little
penguins, also known as fairy penguins, are the smallest species of
penguin, making them especially susceptible to foxes, cats and dogs.
The Penguin Camera is located on Torgersen Island (64°46’S, 64°04’W), off the coast of Anvers Island and less than a mile from Palmer Station. Torgersen Island is home to a colony of Adélie penguins numbering approximately 2,500. This camera is seasonal and operates primarily from October to February, the Adélie breeding season. The camera is solar-powered and may sometimes experience brief outages due to inclement weather. School classrooms and other educational demonstrations will often take control of the camera, moving it to gain better views of the colony.
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