Rescued Penguin to Start Captive Breeding Program

In November of 2006, a rare male Fjordland Crested Penguin was rescued after washing up onto the beach in Australia. The penguin was given the name Munro. Munro has been resting and recovering at Sydney's Taronga Zoo after an exhausting 1,243 mile swim from his homeland. Scientists hope he will jumpstart a captive breeding program with two female Fjordland Crested Penguins in residence at the zoo.

Spokeswoman Danielle McGill states, "He hasn't seen them (the female penguins) yet, but he's heard them. He is quite excited; he keeps trying to escape to get to them." Now that Munro has recuperated, he will be introduced to the two female penguins, Chalky and Milford. Taronga Zoo's penguin expert says that Chalky and Mildred seem eager to raise a family. Each year they have been laying and trying to incubate the unfertile eggs.

Sam Taylor, World News Editor