Ebook: The great penguin rescue: 40,000 penguins, a devastating oil spill, and the inspiring story of the world's largest animal rescue

On June 23, 2000, a ship en route from Brazil to China foundered off the coast of South Africa, spilling 1,300 tons of oil into the ocean and contaminating the habitat of 75,000 penguins. Local conservation officials immediately launched a massive rescue operation, and 12,500 volunteers from around the globe rushed to South Africa in hopes of saving the imperiled birds. Serving as a rehabilitation manager during the initial phase of the three-month effort, Dyan deNapoli--better known as "the Penguin Lady" for her extensive work with penguins--and fellow volunteers de-oiled, nursed back to health, and released into the wild nearly all of the over 19,000 affected birds. Now, at the tenth anniversary of the disaster, deNapoli recounts the extraordinary story of the world's largest and most successful wildlife rescue.--From publisher description.;Wing to wing -- 20,000 oiled penguins -- Dolphin dreams and penguin pursuits -- the seeds are planted -- Penguins -- waddling wonders -- African penguins -- a species on the brink -- Disaster strikes -- the Treasure sinks -- The big cleanup -- oil, oil everywhere -- Penguins in crisis -- the world responds -- An impassioned plea -- getting the call to help -- Salt River -- birth of a rescue center -- The grueling work continues -- the emotional and physical toll -- Angels in oilskins -- 12,500 dedicated volunteers -- Toothbrushes and dishwashing liquid -- cleaning the oiled penguins -- Peter, Pamela, and Percy's long swim home -- the world anxiously watches -- Thirty-five hundred hungry mouths to feed -- raising the abandoned chicks -- SANCCOB -- thigh biting and other hazards -- Robbery at gunpoint -- our allegiance is tested -- Leaving the penguins behind -- a difficult departure -- Hope on the horizon -- the penguins survive and thrive -- Freedom for the remaining penguins -- the rescue draws to a close -- The lucky survivors -- how did they fare? -- Life after the rescue -- the mission continues.