No kidnapping, but still a serious breach agains animal welfare law with deathly outcome.
Original petition:
Three three-week-old baby penguins and one unhatched penguin egg were stolen from Ålesund aquarium in western Norway around 3 a.m. on Thursday 14th May, 2015. The kidnapped penguins and egg have not been found as of Saturday 16th May afternoon, but so small penguins are very vulnerable and have very few chances of survival when taken away from their parents.
Partying high school graduates are suspected, as some of them were captured by surveillance cameras. The videoclip has now been released by the local police (VIDEO, text in Norwegian http://www.smp.no/nyheter/alesundogomland/article10964370.ece).
Demand thorough investigation and prosecution of those found responsible of this criminal and thoughtless act in violation of Norwegian animal welfare law, paragraph 14 against putting an animal into a helpless situation. Four graduates have been charged as of Saturday 16th May afternoon, but none of them has admitted guilt.
More information in English here:
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2015/05/14/russ-suspected-of-penguin-napping/
Update:
Penguins not kidnapped, students still responsible for their death
Two baby penguins were later found dead, trampled by adult penguins traumatized by the seven intruding graduating high school students. Charges against four of the students have been changed from "animal cruelty" to "trespassing".
Animal rights organization NOAH has reported the students for breach against the animal welfare law that calls for animals “to be protected against the danger of unnecessary stress or strain."
Although the students did not kidnap the baby penguins, they still bear responsibility for their death.
More info here:
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2015/05/19/police-alter-charges-in-penguin-drama/
