S. Africa Penguin Colony Decimated
Reuters
DASSEN ISLAND, South Africa —
The oil slick that struck the Cape coast 10 days ago has decimated one of the most important breeding colonies of the endangered Jackass penguin, conservationists said Sunday.
Officials said two-thirds of Dassen Island’s 30,000 birds--named for the braying noise they make--had either died or been driven off.
Conservationists using an air force helicopter plucked 8,000 adult penguins from the island. About 2,000 are left.
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