Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Stolen Sea World fairy penguin recovered

Stolen Sea World fairy penguin recovered
April 16, 2012

Three men who allegedly stole a penguin from Gold Coast theme park Sea World were arrested having boasted about their exploit on Facebook.

Sea World's Trevor Long told ABC Radio that Dirk the fairy penguin was recovering at the park having been stolen and released in the Broadwater on Saturday night.

Staff were relieved to have an exhausted Dirk back, as was his penguin partner, Peaches.

Long explained that Dirk had no chance of surviving alone in the wild, telling ABC Radio "it's totally foreign to this animal and it's very, very cruel. He wouldn't have survived in the wild, not at all.

"He would have been an ideal target for a bull shark ... or dogs and cats."

Dirk was found by walkers who saw him being chased out of the water by something - possibly a dolphin or a shark - and then being chased back in by a dog.

Dirk was recovered hiding under the concrete of Southport pier by Sea World staff on Sunday night. Long advised that he was very afraid and distressed when rescued.

Long said it was the first incidence of animal theft from Sea World, and was brought to the attention of police because the men allegedly revealed their crime on Facebook.

Three men aged 18, 20 and 21, will appear in court next month charged with trespassing, and stealing and unlawfully keeping a protected animal, an offence under the Nature Conservation Act.

21st December 2011 - SEA WORLD WELCOMES BABY GENTOO PENGUIN FOR CHRISTMAS

20th May 2011 - SEA WORLD RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM FOR PENGUIN ENCOUNTER EXHIBIT

24th March 2011 - SEA WORLD WELCOMES WADDLING NEW ARRIVALS

23rd February 2011 - RARE MONKEY RETURNS TO SYMBIO WILDLIFE PARK


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Goplay Commercial Playground Equipment

Goplay designs and manufactures specialised playground equipment for indoor play centres, hotels, food chains, clubs and resorts. If our years of experience and dedication have taught us one thing,…

read more

Play

 
 

Quayclean

Quayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Surfaces / Venues

 
 

Exerp

Exerp is a global IT specialist in member management software for the fitness and leisure industry. By focusing on the needs of large enterprises, where streamlining, control and scalability are…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

The P.A. People

The P.A. People is a specialist integrator and contractor in sound reinforcement, audio visual systems, performance lighting and production communications. Over its almost 50 year history the company…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

Summit Fitness

Summit Fitness Equipment is now part of NovoFit - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/novofit/

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

ProSlide Technology

ProSlide is the global leader in water ride design and manufacturing, supplying high-performance water attractions to new and expanding water parks around the world. For over three decades, ProSlide…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

COMMERCIAL AQUATICS AUSTRALIA

Commercial Aquatics Australia provides aquatic solutions nationwide and is one of the largest and most experienced companies specialising in the design, construction, renovation, service, maintenance…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 

revolutioniseSPORT

revolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…

read more

Recreation / Sport / Technology

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business