Reuters AlertNet Lite - Australia investigates mystery death of 25 penguins

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

Australia investigates mystery death of 25 penguins

14 Mar 2007 04:59:28 GMT
Source: Reuters

SYDNEY, March 14 (Reuters) - Twenty five penguins have died from a mystery illness at an Australian marine theme park popular with tourists, authorities said on Wednesday.

The penguins fell ill last Thursday at Seaworld in tropical Queensland state and were all dead by the weekend, prompting government officials to launch an inquiry into the deaths.

Queensland primary industry officials said fears that the penguins may have died from an exotic disease or avian bird flu had been ruled out.

"At this stage, it does not appear to be an infectious cause going on, so we don't believe there is a problem in terms of threat to other animals or the public," said Ron Glanville, Queensland department of primary industry chief veterinarian.

Twelve remaining sick penguins have been isolated so that tests can be carried out.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

NGO latest

• Future housing needs defined by high urban growth in AP
Habitat for Humanity

MORE >>

Latest news

• Thirsty wild camels rampage in Aboriginal community

• Australia investigates mystery death of 25 penguins

• Giant cold water eddy off Sydney lowers sea level

• Tower chat shows calm before Java crash - media

• FACTBOX-Regional impacts of climate change-U.N. draft

MORE >>

Last updated:Wed Mar 14 08:36:20 2007