Ecobreves – CHILE: Clean Release of the Last Oil-Contaminated Penguins

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

SANTIAGO, Aug 5 2006 (IPS) - The Chilean government's National Forest Corporation (CONAF) has completed the recovery project for penguins contaminated with petroleum, rescuing 54 of these birds living in the extreme southern region of Magallanes, 3,000 km south of the capital. CONAF veterinarian Alejandra Silva told Tierramérica that the source of the contamination discovered in April is not yet known. On Magdalena Island, a natural sanctuary of penguins located in the Strait of Magellan, 76 penguins were found covered in petroleum.

At a CONAF forestry nursery, the birds were washed, dried, fed and treated with medications. Of the penguins taken to the center, 22 died of aspergillosis (a disease caused by fungus) and hydrocarbon poisoning.

The release of the surviving penguins in their natural habitat began on Jun. 19 and was completed Jul. 28.