I thought you might be interested in the newsletter I received about Phillip
Island and the Little Blue Penguins.

Keep on Waddlin'!

Caroline Bittinger


From: "Phillip Island Nature Park" <bncd_pfd978.18@pfnews>
To: "Caroline Bittinger" <cfbittinger@...>
Subject: Penguin Foundation Members Update - September Edition
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 08:19:35 +0800

Penguin Foundation turns 1

It is an exciting time for the Penguin Foundation with two very important
events coming up. The Penguin Foundation will have its first birthday on
29th September and we are also very near to our 1000th membership mark.
Quite a feat in just 12 months!
Help us reach 1000 members by 29th September by spreading the word and
ensuring that more people Adopt a Little Penguin so we can continue to help
them survive.
See enclosed for more details.

Penguin News

Find out what your little penguin is up to..

It is an exciting time for the Penguin Foundation with two very important
events coming up. The Penguin Foundation will have its first birthday on
29th September and we are also very near to our 1000th membership mark.
Quite a feat in just 12 months!
Help us reach 1000 members by 29th September by spreading the word and
ensuring that more people Adopt a Little Penguin so we can continue to help
them survive.
See enclosed for more details.

A happy ending for two little penguins

During June, a Little Penguin named Crimson was found near Wilson's
Promontory, on the southern tip of Victoria with a badly injured flipper and
has spent a long time recuperating in our Wildlife Hospital. Crimson had to
undergo surgery to fix her flipper so she can swim properly again.

Her wound was cut opened and resewn so the feathers fit back together to
ensure her coat was waterproof once again.

Another Little Penguin named Green, (after the ribbon we tie on his flipper
in hospital), had an unfortunate incident where he was found strangled by
native vegetation near his burrow on Phillip Island. Green suffered a
bruised neck and was unable to go fishing whilst recovering. Green and
Crimson were released together on Summerland Beach just over a week ago and
are now happily swimming around in Bass Strait once again. The Wildlife
Hospital treated and cared for 128 Little Penguins during 2005-06. Penguins
were mostly treated for severe dehydration and starvation. Foxes and cats
also play a big role in penguins being injured and oil spills contribute to
a very complex rehabilitation process. Proceeds from the Foundation ensure
that we can give Little Penguins the best care possible.

Big number of little penguins

Did you know
that the home of your little penguin, the penguin parade has recorded its
highest number of penguins coming ashore in 10 years

Researchers have confirmed that for every night in 2005-06 an average 650
Little Penguins waddled ashore as part of their ancient natural ritual, 200
more than last year and the most since 1995.

Every night Rangers at the Penguin Parade count the number of Little
Penguins coming ashore Summerland Beach which allows a direct comparison
year-on-year. Our team of scientists are world renowned in their Little
Penguin research. Our Research Manager, Dr Peter Dann told us:

"The increase in penguin numbers coming ashore at the Penguin Parade is a
very good indication there was plenty of food around northern Bass Strait.
This year was also a better than average breeding season in terms of the
numbers of chicks fledged per breeding pair - the highest average for 36
years.

This year penguins have not had to go a long way out to sea to feed. Having
food at such close range allows penguins to make more fishing trips to feed
their chicks and as a consequence they come ashore more often."

Penguin Foundation Supporters

The Penguin Foundation welcomes Slide Design as a new Sponsor.
The Italian light manufacturer has designed a cute penguin lamp which will
be launched across Europe during September 2006. A percentage of the lamps
proceeds will go to the Foundation to help your Little Penguin.

The penguin lamp is called KoKo and you can read all about the KoKo journey
and release on www.kokodesign.it

Kids Corner

Kids Parade

Around fifty Victorian school children joined Victorian Premier Steve Bracks
and Olympian Grant Hacket, at the launch of the 12th FINA World
Championships at Federation Square in Melbourne on Wednesday 26th July.

Phillip Island`s most famous animal, the Little Penguin, was chosen as the
mascot for the Event, and the kids were invited to dress up and "parade"
into the atrium behind the Premier for the launch event.

Phillip Island`s famous Penguin Parade was recreated at Melbourne`s
Federation Square for the occasion. `Penny` is the official name of the
Penguin mascot that will be the face of the Melbourne 2007 Championships
(March 17 - April 1 2007).

Tickets go on sale October 16. For more information visit
www.melbourne2007.com.au