A dozen jackass penguins have taken up their new residence at Nausicaa, the French National Sea Centre here, reports Peter O’Neill from Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The jackass was on the edge of extinction in its natural home off the coast of Southern Africa, when an international conservation and breeding programme was established in several European centres.
Nausicaa has already made a name for itself by becoming a pioneer in breeding sea horses. Chief researcher Stephane Henard will have to wait and see whether the penguins bring any surprises. They have been a big hit, and enjoy the local fish at France's biggest seafood port. The port will benefit from a higher profile as it adds another campaign element to its commercial diversification programme. Henard and Director Valette say the decision to bring in the penguins preceded the international success of the March of the Penguins' film, but they are not complaining about the coincidence, nor the penguins' posing before the TV cameras and photographers!
