YARMOUTH PORT, Mass., Aug. 7 /EMWNews/ -- More than 1000

juvenile Magellanic penguins have washed-up either dead or dying along the

Brazilian coast and as far north as Natal in Rio Grande do Norte, 3000 km

north of Sao Paulo. IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare -

http://www.ifaw.org ) deployed a team of penguin rehabilitation experts to assist

local animal centers that are handling penguins for the first time.



    "This event appears to be a natural occurrence and has been seen 2 or 3

times in the last 20 years, resulting in the death of thousands of birds.

What really took us by surprise this time is the huge increase in numbers,"

said Valeria Ruoppolo of IFAW.



    The Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) breed in large

colonies in southern Argentina and Chile and migrate north as far as

Southwest Brazil between March and September. According to experts, there

is a flow of warmer water (1C higher than normal), which has caused the

juvenile penguins to keep going north, past their usual range, where they

are unable to find adequate food. Almost all of the penguins being found on

beaches in northeastern Brazil have been juveniles and since they are

starving, they come into care in an extremely debilitated state.



    IFAW's team of experts are working with Instituto Mamiferos Aquaticos

in Salvador, Bahia and Instituto ORCA in Vitoria, Espiritu Santo, to help

save as many penguins as possible. The Brazilian Institute for Environment

and Renewable Resources (IBAMA) welcomed IFAW's expertise for the

rehabilitation of these stranded penguins.



    Penguins in rehabilitation are individually checked for their treatment

evolution, fed fish supplemented with vitamins, and spend time swimming to

recover the strength and approve health requirements needed to be released

back to their ocean home.



    IFAW's staff is working closely with the authorities at IBAMA to advise

on bird release criteria and suitable locations to release these birds,

ensuring they have fish available to survive.



    IFAW's experience in rehabilitation has saved the lives of tens of

thousands of penguins. In 2000, IFAW helped save an entire species --

rehabilitating and releasing 19,000 African Penguins caught in the Treasure

oil spill off South Africa. Today, IFAW's oiled wildlife response team is

widely recognized as the world's finest.

    About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)



    Founded in 1969, IFAW works around the globe to protect animals and

habitats, promoting practical solutions for animals and people. To learn

how you can help, please visit http://www.ifaw.org



    Note to editors: Photos available.