I was so sad this week to read the story of the stolen penguin – who was ‘freed’ from a marine park, wrenched from his partner and babies and basically left to die in the wild.

The reckless act was carried out by students protesting against keeping animals in captivity, but their actions may well lead to the poor penguin starving to death.

Buddy the penguin was born and raised in Bayworld marine park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and completely unable to survive on his own in the wild.

He was living in the park with his lifelong partner Francis and their two chicks – one of which has died since he was stolen.

Park keepers are now scouring the coastline near where he was dumped in the hope of finding him still alive.

Dylan Bailey, manager of the park, told the BBC: “He is completely ill-equipped to survive in the wild. He will have no idea where he is.

“We have hope he will come ashore before he becomes too weak.”

He said penguins pair for life so his partner Francis has been left alone, unable to leave her chick and nest without Buddy to take over.

Mr Bailey added: “If we can’t get Buddy back, we will try to pair her with another bird, but it may not be successful.”

I hope poor Buddy is found and reunited with his family soon. I also hope these students have learned a lesson that playing with the lives of animals is not the way to make a protest…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-37493194