This sounds like a job for ThermoMan - come in JAG, your penguins need
your knitted jackets ...
Oil spill threatens penguins
By SELMA MILOVANOVIC
Friday 14 December 2001
About 230 penguins have been affected by an oil spill on the south coast
of Phillip Island, the Marine Board of Victoria and Phillip Island
Nature Park confirmed today.
Investigations are continuing into the cause of yesterday's oil spill on
four beaches on the island.
While no wildlife has died as a result of the spill, Marine Board CEO
John Lord said the full extent of the damage done to the penguins could
not yet be confirmed.
Volunteers have taken the affected penguins to the rehabilitation
facility at the Phillip Island Nature park.
More than 50 people are involved in the cleanup of the island, including
staff from the nature park, Parks Victoria, Toll Westernport, the Shire
of Bass Coast and volunteers. The operation is expected to take at least
three to four days.
"The cleanup operation is highly labour intensive, as rocks and hard to
reach areas on the shore need to be cleaned by hand," said Mr Lord.
Victoria's Environmental Protection Authority is examining samples of
oil taken from the Thorny, Summerland, Hutchinsons and Smiths Beaches
and along the rocky shoreline. The authority will also provide advice on
environmental impact.
The origin of the spill is still unknown.
"The Australian Maritime Safety Authority will assist the investigation
by providing details of ships known to have passed through the area over
the past week," Mr Lord said.
This story was found at:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/state/2001/12/14/FFXYR07U6VC.html
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