PORT ELIZABETH - SAGA OF THE STOLEN BAYWORLD PENGUIN CONTINUES AS GROUP CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEFT

The saga of the stolen Bayworld penguin, Buddy continues in Port Elizabeth as individuals come forward claiming to have taken Buddy and set him free. Buddy was reportedly stolen last week and various videos and images were released to the public regarding the penguins theft.

AlgoaFM reported the following nia their Twitter account:

Staff at Bayworld are busy searching for Buddy the penguin, who was stolen from his enclosure on Wednesday. Buddy was reportedly spotted at Kings Beach.Volunteers gathered at Kings Beach this morning and groups will walk all the way to Pipe combing the beach, shore and dunes calling him.

READ - HUNT FOR STOLEN BAYWORLD PENGUIN INTENSIFIES AS CCTV VIDEO AND PICS RELEASED

20 minutes later the follwing was posted by AlgoaFM agin from via their Twitter account:

Shortly after info was released via media, legal rep contacted Bayworld and stated that individuals involved wished to come forward. The individuals wanted to admit their responsibility for the incident on Thursday when Buddy was stolen out of his enclosure. Bayworld management and curators met with individuals and their legal representatives to discuss the incident

Suspects stated that they did not agree with penguins being kept in captivity and wanted to release buddy back into the wild. After realizing the severity of the incident they had decided to come forward stating that they had taken "Buddy" and released him. Suspects claim that they had taken "Buddy" and released him on Pollock beach hours after stealing him.

At the time they believed they were acting in the best interests of the animals and there was never any intention to harm the bird. Bayworld management will meet again with the individuals concerned and their legal council to decide on appropriate sanction.