Little penguin died from eating plastic in Manly, spurring the community to take action

The community is honouring a little penguin that died after ingesting plastic with a beach clean up in its honour.

Two Little Penguins were released into the ocean from North Curl Curl after receiving some much needed care from Taronga's Wi...

AN AUTOPSY on a little penguin found in Manly Cove showed it died from ingesting plastic.

A Manly Sea Life Sanctuary spokeswoman said the penguin, which was handed in last weekend, confirmed the penguin died from eating plastic and said staff vowed it would not be forgot.

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“We decided that our scheduled public beach clean yesterday would be in honour of this little penguin and we hope to not only keep this environment clean but to educate participants about plastic pollution through this little penguin’s story,” the spokeswoman said.

“We will also use the plastic collected at the event to create something in the penguin’s memory.”

Manly resident and environmental activist Angela Van Boxtel found the penguin and said she was saddened to discover the penguin had eaten plastic.

“People need to realise they are connected to the problem,” Ms Van Boxtel said.