This is bird note.

On June 23rd 2000, an enormous iron ore tanker sank off the coast of South Africa between Robin and Dassen Islands.

The islands are critical nesting sites for African penguins, also known as jackass penguins for their loud braying voices.

Fuel from the tanker covered 19,000 adult penguins in oil right at the peak of their breeding season.

Word of the bird's predicament spread quickly.

Tens of thousands of's predicament spread quickly.

Tens of thousands of people arrive to volunteer their help.

The oiled penguins were removed to an abandoned warehouse in Cape Town

to be cleaned and cared for.

Another 19,500 penguins that had so far escaped the oil

were taken from Dassen Island and released at sea

over 600 miles to the east.

It took the penguins released at sea nearly three weeks to swim back home, allowing workers

time to clean up the oil-fouled waters and beaches.

The entire rescue effort lasted over three months and saved more than 91% of the oiled

penguins.

You can learn more about one of the greatest bird rescues ever at our website, birdnote.org. I'm Michael Stein. You're going to be.