Reward offered for stolen penguin

Toga's plight has moved local people

A reward is being offered for the return of a Jackass penguin chick stolen from a zoo.

Toga, who has the brown and white colouring of a juvenile, was taken from Amazon World between Newport and Sandown, Isle of Wight.

The zoo offered £1,000, with £2,000 more coming from donations, the Times newspaper reported.

The penguin's mother is said to be pining for him, and the animal is expected to perish soon.

The animal needs its mother as it will not take food from humans.

Born in September, Toga lives on a special diet and needs to be kept cool, with access to plenty of fresh water.

Toga was the first South African Jackass Penguin to be bred at the island zoo. Including his parents, there are now only six adults left.

There are about 150-200 of the rare and endangered breed in the UK.

It is thought the thieves climbed over a six-foot outer wall before clambering over an eight-foot metal and concrete barrier.

Zoo staff believe the popularity of the film March of the Penguins may have inspired the crime.