the case of the pilfered penguin

[lady cop]

: Police 'fear worst' poor little thing


Thursday, December 22, 2005; Posted: 7:19 a.m. EST (12:19 GMT)

This photo issued by Hampshire Police shows 3-month-old Toga, stolen from a zoo last week

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Police said Thursday they feared the worst for a baby penguin whose plight has prompted headlines around the world after he was stolen from a British zoo five days ago.
Toga, a three-month-old Jackass penguin, was snatched on Saturday night from the Amazon World zoo on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England.
Zoo managers think he might have been stolen as a Christmas present by thieves inspired by the hit documentary film "March of the Penguins".
But they warned that unless the brown and white colored Toga was swiftly returned, he would die.
Pictures of his crestfallen parents were splashed across the front pages of newspapers in Britain and the tale has tweaked the heartstrings of animal lovers globally.
"It's absolutely unbelievable. We've had so many e-mails and well-wishes from people around the world, it's just stunning," zoo manager Kath Bright told Reuters, saying messages had come from as far afield as the U.S., Australia and South Africa.
Media reports said congregations at two churches in America were even praying for Toga, who is said to be very vocal, with a voice like a donkey braying.
"It gives you renewed faith in the human race," Bright said.
She added the zoo was currently on tenterhooks after an anonymous man called to say he had dumped Toga on Tuesday in a plastic bag at Portsmouth docks on the English mainland across from the island.
A rescue team is now on standby to rush out if the report is true and Toga is found.
However Hampshire police who have been investigating the theft said the report had not made them very hopeful that Toga was still alive.
"I think it's really sad," said a police spokeswoman. "I don't envisage a happy ending."

[chrisb84uk]

That's horrible, what reason would someone have to kidnap a penguin, that's just awful. Let's all hope all turns out for the best with this story!!

[chonsigirl]

Oh, that is so cruel! Keep us updated, please, if the darling penguin gets home safe.

No excuse for animal cruelty...................

[SOJOURNER]

If the person or persons who did this are caught, what sort of punishment would they be facing?

[lady cop]

Originally Posted by SOJOURNER

If the person or persons who did this are caught, what sort of punishment would they be facing?

i'd have to ask Bothwell, but the charges would range from the actual burglary of the zoo, to the animal's death if it is shown.

[nvalleyvee]

Tonight's news said the poor bird will be dead if not returned to the parents within 48 hours. It can only take food from it's parents. What a sad case of a "special X-Mas present".......a dead animal. I'm a huge fan of animal protection - especially around X-Mas. People want to get something special and then have NO IDEA of the care they need.

Any recent news on this?

[lady cop]

Originally Posted by SnoozeControl

Any recent news on this?

not on this morning's BBC.

[lady cop]

England (Reuters) -- The parents of a baby penguin, whose theft from a British zoo just before Christmas attracted worldwide attention, have produced a new egg.Toga, a three-month-old jackass penguin, was snatched from Amazon World Zoo Park on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England, after thieves broke in one night last month.
Pictures of his crestfallen parents Kyala and Oscar made the front page of many newspapers while donations and messages of support flooded in from all over the world.
Despite a number of reported sightings, Toga, who could only survive a matter of days without his parents, was never found.
"There's some good news at last," zoo manager Kath Bright told Reuters on Monday after staff discovered Kyala and Oscar were expecting their second offspring.
"They have been very lovey-dovey," she said, adding the egg should hatch in about 40 days.
Toga, zoo staff believe, might have been stolen for a private collector or by someone who thought he would make a good Christmas present, perhaps inspired by the hit documentary film "March of the Penguins".
There is still an outstanding 25,000 pound ($44,440) reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.
"It would be nice to know what did happen to him and why he was taken," Bright said

Thanks for posting that. I'm embarrassed to admit I forgot all about the poor little guy.