Clinic’s hope for Tib the penguin after serious attack

After a brutal attack this month, it’s hoped Tib the penguin will make a full recovery, but it might be a long journey before he can be released. LATEST >>

Picture: Forth Valley Veterinary Clinic

A penguin which survived an attack, which left its friend dead, earlier this month will spend weeks being rehabilitated, with hopes it will be able to be released.

The surviving penguin, affectionately named ‘Tib’ by the Forth Valley Veterinary Clinic team was left with a torn up toe, a fractured tibia and mild external wounds.

Veterinarians in Forth performed orthopaedic surgery to save the little penguin’s leg.

“Orthopaedic surgery for Tib meant fixing a very small metal plate inside the leg with a set of tiny screws less than 2mm in diameter,” a spokes person for the clinic said.

Picture: Forth Valley Veterinary Clinic

“It was intricate surgery inserting a tiny metal plate, even tinier screws, navigate around small vessels and small fragile bones.

“It took over two hours for the team to perform. Unfortunately with extensive damage, Dr Jahk also had to amputate Tib’s toe and remove some feathers during the surgery.”

Picture: Forth Valley Veterinary Clinic

The clinic spokesperson said it would be a long process to rehabilitate Tib.

“Tib’s leg will hopefully heal but waterproofing feathers will take many more months to return,” they said.

The clinic is working with Penguin Rehab and Release to care for Tib and it’s hoped he can be released when he recovers.

Three teenagers were charged over the incident.

Three teens charged over attack, killing of little penguins in Burnie

Three young teenagers have been hit with charges over the brutal attack of penguins in the north-west of the state which left one animal dead.

Tasmania Police received reports that several youths had mistreated penguins on the Burnie foreshore on the night of Sunday, March 12.

A member of the public called police at about 6.30pm, after witnessing the incident.

One of the penguins had to undergo surgery as a result of its injuries.

On Friday, March 17, police released CCTV images showing the suspected youths, and urged those with information or knowledge of the identities of the young people to come forward.

Three teenagers, aged between 12 and 15 were identified as a result, and have been charged with offences relating to the cruelty of animals, and the maiming and killing of a protected species.

A member of the public first alerted police to the Sunday, March 12 incident.

They will be subject to the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.

Last week, BirdLife Tasmania convener Eric Woehler told the Mercury that the behaviour was “truly staggering”.

“There are community groups, all volunteers, working to protect little penguins from dogs around the state, and we see this sort of indefensible and utterly unacceptable behaviour from a group of youths that beggars belief,” he said.

A Tasmania Police spokesperson thanked members of the community who came forward and provided the information which led to the identification of the teens.