Post by Chris Mullins on Mar 30, 2005 13:39:17 GMT
ESCAPEE PENGUIN REMAINS MYSTERY
Two Brixham men claim they spotted an escaped penguin from the Living Coasts sealife centre in their local harbour, enjoying its freedom.
The report has certainly ruffled a few feathers at the Torquay tourist attraction, 10 miles away.
Brixham publican Steve Ayres and his barman both saw the penguin from the upper windows of the Buller's Arms on the waterfront. Steve even fetched a pair of binoculars for a closer look because they couldn't believe it.
Steve added: "It was perched near a boat undergoing repairs about 50 feet away. It was the right shape and colouring. We just thought it was the one that got away." But rumours of a "Great Escape" or a mass breakout have been given the bird by Paignton Zoo spokesman Phil Knowling.
He insisted: "What they saw was probably a guillemot from the colony at Berry Head or perhaps an auk. They both have the same general colouring and elongated bodies like penguins and could easily be mistaken at a distance. We've definitely had no breakouts, no escapees. Every penguin is accounted for at Living Coasts and this isn't the first time someone's reported a sighting in Tor Bay.
"We appreciate the public's concern about the welfare of escapees, but frankly our penguins have such a nice life at Living Coasts, they prefer to be back in their cosy quarters and well fed."
(Source: Herald Express (Devon, UK) - 29 March 2005)
Contributed by: Michael Newton
Two Brixham men claim they spotted an escaped penguin from the Living Coasts sealife centre in their local harbour, enjoying its freedom.
The report has certainly ruffled a few feathers at the Torquay tourist attraction, 10 miles away.
Brixham publican Steve Ayres and his barman both saw the penguin from the upper windows of the Buller's Arms on the waterfront. Steve even fetched a pair of binoculars for a closer look because they couldn't believe it.
Steve added: "It was perched near a boat undergoing repairs about 50 feet away. It was the right shape and colouring. We just thought it was the one that got away." But rumours of a "Great Escape" or a mass breakout have been given the bird by Paignton Zoo spokesman Phil Knowling.
He insisted: "What they saw was probably a guillemot from the colony at Berry Head or perhaps an auk. They both have the same general colouring and elongated bodies like penguins and could easily be mistaken at a distance. We've definitely had no breakouts, no escapees. Every penguin is accounted for at Living Coasts and this isn't the first time someone's reported a sighting in Tor Bay.
"We appreciate the public's concern about the welfare of escapees, but frankly our penguins have such a nice life at Living Coasts, they prefer to be back in their cosy quarters and well fed."
(Source: Herald Express (Devon, UK) - 29 March 2005)
Contributed by: Michael Newton
I wonder how many people know what scouse actually is. Hands up! ;D
