news, national

Two little penguins found at a Melbourne home have been returned to a nature park to continue their rehabilitation. The feathered pair were rescued from a house in the northern suburb of Greenvale, more than 150 kilometres from their Phillip Island home, after being picked up by a man who said he thought they were injured. The birds continued their recovery at Melbourne Zoo, where they were taken for assessment and treatment. The birds arrived alert and active, but were underweight. After they were found to be eating well and swimming and preening normally, they were moved to the Phillip Island Nature Parks on Friday, to complete their rehabilitation. The animals require a special diet and vets believe they had not been fed properly in the two weeks prior. The Department of Environment is investigating how and why the penguins were taken from their natural environment. A Greenvale man claimed he rescued the penguins, believing they were sick. In Victoria, all wildlife is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is illegal to destroy or interfere with wildlife and severe penalties apply. The maximum penalty for hunting, taking or destroying wildlife ranges from $8059 to $38,685 and/or six to 24 months' imprisonment. Australian Associated Press

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