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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, the iron ore carrier MV Treasure foundered off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, spilling 1,300 tons of oil into the ocean and contaminating the habitat of 75,000 penguins—thus threatening to decimate 41 percent of the world’s population of African penguins. A massive rescue effort was launched, with penguin expert Dyan deNapoli—better known as The Penguin Lady—serving as a rehabilitation supervisor. By the end of a grueling, but ultimately rewarding, three months, she and her fellow volunteers had de-oiled, nursed back to health, and released into the wild nearly all of the affected birds. The Great Penguin Rescue is the extraordinary and heartwarming true story of the world’s largest and most successful wildlife rescue and a moving portrait of these captivating birds.
328 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2010
20 people are currently reading
785 people want to read
About the author
Dyan deNapoli
3 books23 followersTHE GREAT PENGUIN RESCUE vividly chronicles Dyan deNapoli’s participation in the largest and most successful animal rescue ever undertaken when a ship sank near Cape Town, South Africa, oiling and displacing 40,000 penguins. The book has received several awards and many favorable reviews, including praise from Tim Flannery in the New York Review of Books. The New York Post called it "a real-life eco-thriller with a happy ending". Library Journal selected it as one of the best sci-tech books of 2010, and it was named a “Must-Read” book in the 2011 Massachusetts Book Awards. It is also a Silver award winner in the 2011 Nautilus book awards – this award recognizes books that inspire positive social change and that “change the world one book at a time”. Dyan is donating 20% of her proceeds from the book to penguin rescue groups.
After working with the penguins at Boston’s New England Aquarium for nine years, Dyan founded her educational company, The Penguin Lady, to teach audiences worldwide about these unique seabirds. She has been the guest lecturer on nature cruises to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands, and has shared her passion for penguins with approximately 250,000 people. In 2008, she authored the new 'Penguins' chapter for Scholastic Publishing’s New Book of Knowledge encyclopedia. She has appeared on CNN's Situation Room, BBC Radio 5 Live, CBC Radio-Canada, ABC Radio Australia and numerous other television and radio shows.
To learn more about Dyan and her book, visit: www.thepenguinlady.com.
After working with the penguins at Boston’s New England Aquarium for nine years, Dyan founded her educational company, The Penguin Lady, to teach audiences worldwide about these unique seabirds. She has been the guest lecturer on nature cruises to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands, and has shared her passion for penguins with approximately 250,000 people. In 2008, she authored the new 'Penguins' chapter for Scholastic Publishing’s New Book of Knowledge encyclopedia. She has appeared on CNN's Situation Room, BBC Radio 5 Live, CBC Radio-Canada, ABC Radio Australia and numerous other television and radio shows.
To learn more about Dyan and her book, visit: www.thepenguinlady.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 20, 2014
A look at a penguin rescue off the coast of South Africa that really changed my knowledge. I'd sort of thought penquins were cleaned off and that was it. Far from it. Nearly 40K "oiled penguins" were kept for weeks in two huge warehouses. These were frightened, suspicious, cranky birds with Very Sharp Beaks and every day they had to be force fed (thawed fish poked down their throats) and "swum" in plastic pools that could hold a limited number after which each pool had to be cleaned and refilled for the next group.
In the meanwhile, their habitat was being cleansed. TWELVE THOUSAND volunteers, mostly from S Africa, but some from around the world at their own expense, served over the months the birds were being gradually cleaned which is a lengthy process after which they are tested for waterproofness which is dependent on the condition of their feathers. Some flunk and must be recleaned later.
Finally the clean birds are marked with hot pink temporary dye on their chests and released in small groups of a couple hundred at a time. With the thousands still being cared for, it was a slow process.
The author laments the huge number of wrecks -- some dating back to WWII -- that are rusting on the ocean floor and gradually releasing oil. Sometimes this is is substantial quantities. She has organized herself as The Penguin Lady and her mission is educating the public about the dangerous decline in penguin populations. I listened to the book, so checked out Google images to see the pink-spotted penguins, the holding pools, etc. which added to understanding and enjoyment of the book.
In the meanwhile, their habitat was being cleansed. TWELVE THOUSAND volunteers, mostly from S Africa, but some from around the world at their own expense, served over the months the birds were being gradually cleaned which is a lengthy process after which they are tested for waterproofness which is dependent on the condition of their feathers. Some flunk and must be recleaned later.
Finally the clean birds are marked with hot pink temporary dye on their chests and released in small groups of a couple hundred at a time. With the thousands still being cared for, it was a slow process.
The author laments the huge number of wrecks -- some dating back to WWII -- that are rusting on the ocean floor and gradually releasing oil. Sometimes this is is substantial quantities. She has organized herself as The Penguin Lady and her mission is educating the public about the dangerous decline in penguin populations. I listened to the book, so checked out Google images to see the pink-spotted penguins, the holding pools, etc. which added to understanding and enjoyment of the book.
February 3, 2016
What an extraordinary story of overcoming the odds and saving the lives of the already threatened African Penguins from certain death! It is also a tale of people coming together when they are needed most and stepping up to really surprise everyone and reinstate some faith in mankind. In addition, I learned that penguins are fascinating animals and I really knew very little about them before reading this book.
That said, the writing of this story could have been a little more precise and refined. I came away from reading it with the impression that the author had tried to "beef up" the text by repeating herself and using the same expressions again and again. I didn't like the drawn out dramatic interactions and felt the writing could have been more consistent and efficient.
Overall, I liked this book and would recommend it for anyone with an interest in penguins, wildlife rehabilitation, oil disasters or the well being of the world's oceans.
That said, the writing of this story could have been a little more precise and refined. I came away from reading it with the impression that the author had tried to "beef up" the text by repeating herself and using the same expressions again and again. I didn't like the drawn out dramatic interactions and felt the writing could have been more consistent and efficient.
Overall, I liked this book and would recommend it for anyone with an interest in penguins, wildlife rehabilitation, oil disasters or the well being of the world's oceans.
February 3, 2015
This book is both extremely depressing (oil spills and suffering animals) and uplifting (successful rehabs and community spirit). I learned a lot about penguins and the horrible reality of how commonplace oil spills are, especially in South Africa. But I really hated how disjointed the story was. One minute we're in the midst of the rescue effort. The next chapter is back in a US zoo. Next, penguin rehab. Next, oil spill history. All interesting but hard to follow and stay present in the actual Treasure story.
May 24, 2011
It was interesting and I learned a lot about penguins that I didn't previously know, but I felt like the book probably could have been half as long as it was. It seemed like there was a lot of repeating throughout the book that could have been edited out.
January 15, 2024
This book is very well written. In most books, even the good ones, there is a section or two that fades a bit. This book did not have that; it kept the same captivation for me the whole way through. The author does a very good job of showing the magnitude of this rescue operation. It shows how many perils are out there for penguins, and sea life in general. However, it also shows how wonderful the response was that this rescue attracted, in the number of professionals (penguin experts, veterinarians, etc) and especially in the number of volunteers who came to help, not just from Cape Town but from around the world too (though the bulk of them were from Cape Town). Also the people/businesses that had something that the rescue could use and so they offered it in. It is a very encouraging account in that sense.
April 5, 2017
I struggled with this rating. Unfortunately, as a book for reading pleasure, I would rate it much lower - 2, or maybe even 1 star. It is way too repetitive - I can't even express how much so.
However, the story itself and the penguin facts and the information on rescue organizations and aquariums and all that it contains is important and interesting. There were a number of personal human interest type bits that had me tearing up, or laughing. Plus, the author seems to be a pretty amazing woman pursuing her passion and giving so much to the penguins that desperately need it.
It's a shame that with better editing I think this could have been a powerful and amazing book, but as it stands I found myself skimming parts because I was reading the same thing for the fourth or fifth time. I might have given up all together had I not been reading this for book club/work. But I believe this is an important topic, and a pretty remarkable story.
However, the story itself and the penguin facts and the information on rescue organizations and aquariums and all that it contains is important and interesting. There were a number of personal human interest type bits that had me tearing up, or laughing. Plus, the author seems to be a pretty amazing woman pursuing her passion and giving so much to the penguins that desperately need it.
It's a shame that with better editing I think this could have been a powerful and amazing book, but as it stands I found myself skimming parts because I was reading the same thing for the fourth or fifth time. I might have given up all together had I not been reading this for book club/work. But I believe this is an important topic, and a pretty remarkable story.
January 21, 2020
Disclaimer:
I've heard friends who read this say they found it interesting, but not intriguing. ON the other hand, I spent several years in wildlife rescue work and rehabilitation so it was a compelling and dramatic read for me.
Combine intense detail, scientific content, personal challenges, an environmental tragedy/cirsis, and the undeniable appeal of penguins and you'll see why this book has enjoyed so much success. I was particularly impressed by the effective blend of logistical management with personal perspectives while political concerns were woven through the actual events and consequences of commercial decisions.
Don't expect this to be a fuzzy feel-good story with anthropomorphized penguins. Even so, the endangered effects of an unprecedented oil spill on the survival of a species as a whole, and on individual birds, feels intense and individualized.
Highly recommended.
I've heard friends who read this say they found it interesting, but not intriguing. ON the other hand, I spent several years in wildlife rescue work and rehabilitation so it was a compelling and dramatic read for me.
Combine intense detail, scientific content, personal challenges, an environmental tragedy/cirsis, and the undeniable appeal of penguins and you'll see why this book has enjoyed so much success. I was particularly impressed by the effective blend of logistical management with personal perspectives while political concerns were woven through the actual events and consequences of commercial decisions.
Don't expect this to be a fuzzy feel-good story with anthropomorphized penguins. Even so, the endangered effects of an unprecedented oil spill on the survival of a species as a whole, and on individual birds, feels intense and individualized.
Highly recommended.
March 31, 2012
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African "Jackass" "Donkey" Penguin
First off I have to say that the little guy in the picture above is the sweetest thing, since this book is kind of heavy (subject matter wise) I thought it would do you all good to see what exactly is at risk if things do not change.
I love animals. I love Africa. I love reading about both and most importantly I enjoy reading about the efforts people are taking to help save our fellow animals in their times of need. I think that it's important. Remaining ignorant of the plight of our animal brethren is 100% not the right way to go about things. In fact I'm convinced that if certain changes do not occur...we'll be too late. So the fact that I was able to get my hands on this book made me happy. When the Treasure sank on June 23rd 2000 I had just turned 10 years old a few weeks before, and I remember still 12 years later seeing reports in the paper and on the television about the plight of the oil spill and the hardships the penguins and their rescuers were facing. Since then I've always wondered what really happened...and how the penguins fared. Unfortunately life got in the way and it took me until last week to finally find out what happened.
Dyan deNapoli wrote a wonderful tell all book about the ups and downs of rescuing 40,000 penguins who without the help of the more than 12,500 volunteers would have perished otherwise. What I loved most about her book and the way that she wrote it is that she did not make herself the focus as others would tend to do in writing a book on their experiences. Instead she paid an awesome tribute to all who participated in this monumental and miraculous rescue that is the biggest rescue of any animal species ever accomplished.
Yes she told her story and shared her experiences but she also shared stories from other volunteers. She didn't toot her own horn or make her contribution to the rescue seem more important than others. She writes with respect, and completely honesty that her part in the rescue was neither greater nor lesser than the other 12,500 people that volunteered their time to come and help save half of the worlds population of the African Penguin.
The 12,500 that volunteered came from all over the planet. At the time that the schools in South Africa were closed for vacation and so there was an outpouring of students who volunteered. The young, the old, the rich, and the poor people of South Africa came from all over the country. Then there were the international volunteers that came on their own dime to help save the animals. The support from the international community was amazing! To read about all these people coming together in a country where the apartheid regime was still in practice 6 years before was wonderful because it didn't matter what colour a person's skin was, people from all walks of life volunteered to help the penguins and put up with the most menial tasks like cleaning the guano (poop) off of the pools where the penguins were kept. Another hazard of working with these animals is that they have rather sharp beaks. I have two budgies as pets and when they bite they draw blood...now when you take into consideration that they're about the size of a hamster and then you think of how large these penguins are it really puts into perspective how nasty and formidable their beaks are.
This is a truly inspiring book about how strong we don't realize we are until fate puts us in a situation in which our abilities, and limitations are tested. Dyan's were severly tested while she was working in South Africa to aid in the rescue. She was there for 18 days and came home 20 pounds lighter, a whole lot more bruised, scared and weary. The physical toll was nothing compared to the emotional and mental toll that effected her as well as other rescuers. In pushing themselves to the limits of their abilities they were left with the after effects of being emotionally drained would follow some volunteers around for years to come.
I highly recommend that you check out this book, learning is the key to keeping this planet of ours clean and healthy. The oilspill that occured on that fateful day in 2000 has been repeated many times all over the world and it is up to us to ensure that the waters are safe for us and the animals that we have been charged with being the caretakers for. They do not have the ability to help themselves and because of that the responsibility of that falls on our shoulders. Without the help of organizations like SANCCOB and IFAW as well numerous others the rescue would not have been as successful as it was. If people can continue to come together with a single goal much can be achieved and learned. The rescue of 40,000 wild penguins is proof of that.
This book will teach you things about the world that you probably didn't know. Upon reading this I had no real knowledge of the African Penguin but since reading it I feel smarter and more well informed about this little creature that while highly vocal also poses a deep intelligence that I think we should attrribute to all animals. This book will help restore your faith in humanity if you are in need of that, it certainly did for me. I'd like to thank Dyan for writing this book and educating the world on the plight of penguins, as well as giving a stunning tribute to all those who volunteered. I hope this isn't the last we hear from her in terms of writing because her words were eloquently written. Hopefully one day I'll get to thank her in person, but until then I'll be content with her maybe reading this one day and knowing
African "Jackass" "Donkey" Penguin
First off I have to say that the little guy in the picture above is the sweetest thing, since this book is kind of heavy (subject matter wise) I thought it would do you all good to see what exactly is at risk if things do not change.
I love animals. I love Africa. I love reading about both and most importantly I enjoy reading about the efforts people are taking to help save our fellow animals in their times of need. I think that it's important. Remaining ignorant of the plight of our animal brethren is 100% not the right way to go about things. In fact I'm convinced that if certain changes do not occur...we'll be too late. So the fact that I was able to get my hands on this book made me happy. When the Treasure sank on June 23rd 2000 I had just turned 10 years old a few weeks before, and I remember still 12 years later seeing reports in the paper and on the television about the plight of the oil spill and the hardships the penguins and their rescuers were facing. Since then I've always wondered what really happened...and how the penguins fared. Unfortunately life got in the way and it took me until last week to finally find out what happened.
Dyan deNapoli wrote a wonderful tell all book about the ups and downs of rescuing 40,000 penguins who without the help of the more than 12,500 volunteers would have perished otherwise. What I loved most about her book and the way that she wrote it is that she did not make herself the focus as others would tend to do in writing a book on their experiences. Instead she paid an awesome tribute to all who participated in this monumental and miraculous rescue that is the biggest rescue of any animal species ever accomplished.
Yes she told her story and shared her experiences but she also shared stories from other volunteers. She didn't toot her own horn or make her contribution to the rescue seem more important than others. She writes with respect, and completely honesty that her part in the rescue was neither greater nor lesser than the other 12,500 people that volunteered their time to come and help save half of the worlds population of the African Penguin.
The 12,500 that volunteered came from all over the planet. At the time that the schools in South Africa were closed for vacation and so there was an outpouring of students who volunteered. The young, the old, the rich, and the poor people of South Africa came from all over the country. Then there were the international volunteers that came on their own dime to help save the animals. The support from the international community was amazing! To read about all these people coming together in a country where the apartheid regime was still in practice 6 years before was wonderful because it didn't matter what colour a person's skin was, people from all walks of life volunteered to help the penguins and put up with the most menial tasks like cleaning the guano (poop) off of the pools where the penguins were kept. Another hazard of working with these animals is that they have rather sharp beaks. I have two budgies as pets and when they bite they draw blood...now when you take into consideration that they're about the size of a hamster and then you think of how large these penguins are it really puts into perspective how nasty and formidable their beaks are.
This is a truly inspiring book about how strong we don't realize we are until fate puts us in a situation in which our abilities, and limitations are tested. Dyan's were severly tested while she was working in South Africa to aid in the rescue. She was there for 18 days and came home 20 pounds lighter, a whole lot more bruised, scared and weary. The physical toll was nothing compared to the emotional and mental toll that effected her as well as other rescuers. In pushing themselves to the limits of their abilities they were left with the after effects of being emotionally drained would follow some volunteers around for years to come.
I highly recommend that you check out this book, learning is the key to keeping this planet of ours clean and healthy. The oilspill that occured on that fateful day in 2000 has been repeated many times all over the world and it is up to us to ensure that the waters are safe for us and the animals that we have been charged with being the caretakers for. They do not have the ability to help themselves and because of that the responsibility of that falls on our shoulders. Without the help of organizations like SANCCOB and IFAW as well numerous others the rescue would not have been as successful as it was. If people can continue to come together with a single goal much can be achieved and learned. The rescue of 40,000 wild penguins is proof of that.
This book will teach you things about the world that you probably didn't know. Upon reading this I had no real knowledge of the African Penguin but since reading it I feel smarter and more well informed about this little creature that while highly vocal also poses a deep intelligence that I think we should attrribute to all animals. This book will help restore your faith in humanity if you are in need of that, it certainly did for me. I'd like to thank Dyan for writing this book and educating the world on the plight of penguins, as well as giving a stunning tribute to all those who volunteered. I hope this isn't the last we hear from her in terms of writing because her words were eloquently written. Hopefully one day I'll get to thank her in person, but until then I'll be content with her maybe reading this one day and knowing
May 31, 2023
An extraordinary book, uplifting in many ways. But the fate of our planet seems to be in the hands of greedy industries with overfishing, oil spills, plastic waste…and yet we must fight to protect what is left. Thank you, The PenguinLady.com for this wonderful book
October 5, 2019
This really is a wonderful account of what humans are capable of when they work together to protect a species. It also raises some really difficult truths about our effect on the planet. Very inspiring to get out there and do you bit 🌎💙
September 17, 2014
I had the pleasure of meeting the author, Dyan deNapoli, at the 2014 New England Author Expo. I mention this because her passion for penguins is sincere. She is called The Penguin Lady for a reason.
I read my signed book in one sitting a day after meeting her. I will say this: the journey she conveys is in the tradition of the best scientific writing (E.O. Wilson) and brings her personal interest in the plight of the South African penguins to the interested reading public. What other reviewers fail to mention is that the Treasure Hunt oil spill in 2000 was but the second catastrophic oil spill in the region. Some of the penguins were veterans of two oil disasters. Dyan, a penguin expert at the New England Aquarium, was called in to join marine wildlife experts from around the world. She had no idea of the magnitude of the horror that she would encounter at the scene. The reader learns that penguins are usually very vocal birds (and territorial, with razor-sharp beaks), but when she entered the warehouse where they were kept, there was an ominous silence. Step-by-step she retells what the team did, what the thousands of heroic volunteers had to do for these birds.
There is heartbreak: some birds died not from the spill, but from the transportation in crates in truck overland. Volunteers hand-washed the birds. It took an hour or more per bird, so multiply that times thousands of birds to understand the volunteer hours – and the scars from the birds. It is inspiring to know that so many people from around the world came together for these birds. One can only wonder what could be accomplished if people did this for other people. I was very impressed when I read that it was a bright 17-year old boy who invented the special soap to degrease the penguins. I hope that someone gave him a scholarship or a job. The world needs young people like him.
The Great Penguin Rescue also reads like an adventure-drama. Against all odds, the scientists, for reasons explained in the book, had to tag three penguins, not knowing if they would make it. Pamela, Peter, and Percy would swim 500+ miles back to their home island, Dassen Island, within 22 days. The birds were saved, after a lot of ups and downs, but the overall, uplifting lesson is that people together can accomplish so much.
I read my signed book in one sitting a day after meeting her. I will say this: the journey she conveys is in the tradition of the best scientific writing (E.O. Wilson) and brings her personal interest in the plight of the South African penguins to the interested reading public. What other reviewers fail to mention is that the Treasure Hunt oil spill in 2000 was but the second catastrophic oil spill in the region. Some of the penguins were veterans of two oil disasters. Dyan, a penguin expert at the New England Aquarium, was called in to join marine wildlife experts from around the world. She had no idea of the magnitude of the horror that she would encounter at the scene. The reader learns that penguins are usually very vocal birds (and territorial, with razor-sharp beaks), but when she entered the warehouse where they were kept, there was an ominous silence. Step-by-step she retells what the team did, what the thousands of heroic volunteers had to do for these birds.
There is heartbreak: some birds died not from the spill, but from the transportation in crates in truck overland. Volunteers hand-washed the birds. It took an hour or more per bird, so multiply that times thousands of birds to understand the volunteer hours – and the scars from the birds. It is inspiring to know that so many people from around the world came together for these birds. One can only wonder what could be accomplished if people did this for other people. I was very impressed when I read that it was a bright 17-year old boy who invented the special soap to degrease the penguins. I hope that someone gave him a scholarship or a job. The world needs young people like him.
The Great Penguin Rescue also reads like an adventure-drama. Against all odds, the scientists, for reasons explained in the book, had to tag three penguins, not knowing if they would make it. Pamela, Peter, and Percy would swim 500+ miles back to their home island, Dassen Island, within 22 days. The birds were saved, after a lot of ups and downs, but the overall, uplifting lesson is that people together can accomplish so much.
October 29, 2013
When my copy of The Great Penguin Rescue arrived in the mail I sat down with it at dinner expecting to read a chapter or two while I ate, then go back to work. I ended up reading the entire book straight through. I just couldn't put it down. From the very beginning the book had me hooked, and I wanted to know every detail about this amazing set of circumstances and the people involved.
Penguins are in trouble around the globe, and the catastrophic oil spill in 2000 right in the middle of a pair of breeding colonies caused world-wide alarm. Within days the call went out to penguin experts everywhere to come in and help. Dyan deNapoli was one of those who answered the call. She was plunged into a situation unlike any that had been seen before. Giant warehouses of scared, oil-coated penguins had to be evaluated, hand fed, and cleaned. The volunteers had to handle razor-sharp beaks, exhausting hours, and sickening stench. They fought through it all, knowing the species' survival could be at stake.
Dyan does an amazing job of helping the reader be there in the moment with her. My eyes welled with tears at many points as I read about the things the people and penguins went through. The rescuers didn't know if this effort would work or not. They could only do their best and pray things worked out.
The book makes you realize that each one of us can make a difference if we follow our dreams and focus on our goals. The people rescuing the penguins were often housewives and office workers, donating their time and efforts to clean the penguin tanks, cut up the fish, and do the many other tasks necessary to keep the rescue center going. Every one of those people helped to make the rescue a success. Each of us has that power, to use our time to make the world a better place.
Highly recommended.
Penguins are in trouble around the globe, and the catastrophic oil spill in 2000 right in the middle of a pair of breeding colonies caused world-wide alarm. Within days the call went out to penguin experts everywhere to come in and help. Dyan deNapoli was one of those who answered the call. She was plunged into a situation unlike any that had been seen before. Giant warehouses of scared, oil-coated penguins had to be evaluated, hand fed, and cleaned. The volunteers had to handle razor-sharp beaks, exhausting hours, and sickening stench. They fought through it all, knowing the species' survival could be at stake.
Dyan does an amazing job of helping the reader be there in the moment with her. My eyes welled with tears at many points as I read about the things the people and penguins went through. The rescuers didn't know if this effort would work or not. They could only do their best and pray things worked out.
The book makes you realize that each one of us can make a difference if we follow our dreams and focus on our goals. The people rescuing the penguins were often housewives and office workers, donating their time and efforts to clean the penguin tanks, cut up the fish, and do the many other tasks necessary to keep the rescue center going. Every one of those people helped to make the rescue a success. Each of us has that power, to use our time to make the world a better place.
Highly recommended.
November 19, 2010
Updating my review, as I completed reading this, and thought it offered amazing insight into this unappreciated aquatic species. Dyan's story never comes across as 'preachy' or overly laden with pure facts. Instead, she sheds a new light into these flightless marvels, and reveals just how "un-cuddly they truly are" (breaking the whole "Happy Feet" ideaology that penguins would be enjoyable to snuggle with).
The 1st pages really engage the reader and it never loses momentum. Even during the difficult parts, when their volunteer workers had to quickly assess which chicks they would be able to save. You cannot help but feel alarmed, ashamed, sad, scared, and hopeful when you learn about the plight these sea denizens faced. I almost could smell the horrific odor of the guano and feel the sting of the sharp, quick beaks, which lacerated Dyan and company.
I not only recommend this book to anyone, not just to spread awareness, but to gain an insight into the lives of those who have dedicated themselves to helping the helpless animals, but i would hope that this would be listed as recommended reading for schools as well.
Thank you for choosing me as a winner, GoodReads & Dyan.
The 1st pages really engage the reader and it never loses momentum. Even during the difficult parts, when their volunteer workers had to quickly assess which chicks they would be able to save. You cannot help but feel alarmed, ashamed, sad, scared, and hopeful when you learn about the plight these sea denizens faced. I almost could smell the horrific odor of the guano and feel the sting of the sharp, quick beaks, which lacerated Dyan and company.
I not only recommend this book to anyone, not just to spread awareness, but to gain an insight into the lives of those who have dedicated themselves to helping the helpless animals, but i would hope that this would be listed as recommended reading for schools as well.
Thank you for choosing me as a winner, GoodReads & Dyan.
February 7, 2011
Great story, but did not like the editing. The story was not told in a linear fashion, which can sometimes work, but in this case was too scattered. Numbers, facts and figures were thrown around constantly and inconsistently. People were introduced first by a first name only, then in a later chapter a first name, last name and organization or role were noted, making the reader wonder if this was the same person or a different one. The author couldn't seem to find the right mix between an emotional memoir and a scientific paper, which are not mutually exclusive, but did not blend well here.
August 19, 2011
I delayed reading this because I thought it would just be depressing, but that wasn't true. The information about how the birds were rescued, how the massive effort was organized and all the different work that was involved, and how the unoiled birds were sent away to swim home, giving the oil spill time to disperse, was fascinating. The volunteers got just the right amount of focus too, and the parts describing how so many people showed up to help the penguins really do make you feel more hopeful about people. Very inspiring, with lots of useful information at the end.
December 3, 2015
Reading this book was both emotional and uplifting. I really enjoyed hearing about all of the wonderful people who came together to work with these penguins. Hearing the author talk about some of the key volunteers was very endearing.
I think another good pass at editing would've tightened up the story a bit -- some of the aspects were repeated multiple times and didn't really need to be. Overall, a good book that provided insight into a terrible situation that could've been so much worse without the passion and dedication of so many people.
I think another good pass at editing would've tightened up the story a bit -- some of the aspects were repeated multiple times and didn't really need to be. Overall, a good book that provided insight into a terrible situation that could've been so much worse without the passion and dedication of so many people.
April 25, 2015
amazing the dedication of all and learning about the traumatic stress that hits them when they go home
May 2, 2015
A wonderful book about a tragic disaster--the oiling of thousands of penguins off the South African coast.
January 9, 2023
Disaster struck the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, on June 23, 2000, when the ship MV Treasure foundered. By pouring 1,300 tons of oil into the ocean and shore, the spill contaminated the habitat of 41% of the world’s population of African penguins. This is how local and world conservationists called for volunteers to save the oiled and traumatized penguins. Incredibly, over 12,500 volunteers came to South Africa, hoping to save the penguins.
This is the first-person story of Dyan deNapoli and the rush to save the penguins. Sometimes Dyan veered off the path to tell her own story, but generally, she told the daily activities of the work done. She also gave credit to grocery stores (who created imaginative ways to donate money to the penguin work), restaurants (donating prepared foods for the workers), hotels (low-cost rooms), and airlines (half-price flights). It showed that the world could step up and help the penguins and workers in many ways.
The description of the first day, when the workers saw the extent of their task, is particularly poignant. Penguins usually are constantly “talking” or moving around. The 19,000 oiled birds were silent and stunned (in one place). Twenty-thousand other penguins (that had not been oiled) had to be moved to new habitats, that were not oil-drenched. The author’s descriptions of how hard it was to get the birds de-oiled were stunning. They worked 16-hour days for weeks without stopping for meals. She comments that everyone lost 10 – 20 lbs.
A surprise was learning that the birds needed more than to be de-oiled. They also needed to be fed (an arduous task), tested and medicated, watched for illnesses, checked that the penguin’s feathers regained their waterproof status, reintroduced to swimming, and so much more. Then, the penguins were tagged and transported to the water, so the penguins could swim to their habitat.
With a few exceptions, this was an enthralling story of people coming together to save a species from extinction. The fact that they cleaned and rehabilitated 19,000 birds in less than three months is a tribute to the honest concern of thousands of people working together. I learned so much about these birds, their biology, habitat, and the studies done after the cleaning of the birds. It was amazing how well the penguins returned to life as usual and continued to breed new chicks.
There have been many studies done about how the birds were impacted. The best result was that, when another oil slick came to the same area, the penguins were less traumatized and responded as if they remembered the human’s intervention before. The story of how many days the penguins took to swim back to their breeding grounds was moving.
This is an inspiring story of how people can gather together and do something remarkable, if only they try. — 4.5 stars.
This is the first-person story of Dyan deNapoli and the rush to save the penguins. Sometimes Dyan veered off the path to tell her own story, but generally, she told the daily activities of the work done. She also gave credit to grocery stores (who created imaginative ways to donate money to the penguin work), restaurants (donating prepared foods for the workers), hotels (low-cost rooms), and airlines (half-price flights). It showed that the world could step up and help the penguins and workers in many ways.
The description of the first day, when the workers saw the extent of their task, is particularly poignant. Penguins usually are constantly “talking” or moving around. The 19,000 oiled birds were silent and stunned (in one place). Twenty-thousand other penguins (that had not been oiled) had to be moved to new habitats, that were not oil-drenched. The author’s descriptions of how hard it was to get the birds de-oiled were stunning. They worked 16-hour days for weeks without stopping for meals. She comments that everyone lost 10 – 20 lbs.
A surprise was learning that the birds needed more than to be de-oiled. They also needed to be fed (an arduous task), tested and medicated, watched for illnesses, checked that the penguin’s feathers regained their waterproof status, reintroduced to swimming, and so much more. Then, the penguins were tagged and transported to the water, so the penguins could swim to their habitat.
With a few exceptions, this was an enthralling story of people coming together to save a species from extinction. The fact that they cleaned and rehabilitated 19,000 birds in less than three months is a tribute to the honest concern of thousands of people working together. I learned so much about these birds, their biology, habitat, and the studies done after the cleaning of the birds. It was amazing how well the penguins returned to life as usual and continued to breed new chicks.
There have been many studies done about how the birds were impacted. The best result was that, when another oil slick came to the same area, the penguins were less traumatized and responded as if they remembered the human’s intervention before. The story of how many days the penguins took to swim back to their breeding grounds was moving.
This is an inspiring story of how people can gather together and do something remarkable, if only they try. — 4.5 stars.
May 6, 2020
Dyan deNapoli recounts her experience going to South Africa in 2000 to help rescue 40,000 penguins caught in an oil spill from the sinking of The Treasure.
I was glad to have read this from the perspective of someone who was a trained penguin keeper. (She worked at a zoo as a penguin keeper in the States when the oil spill happened and was sent by her zoo with the help of some grants to help.) It was great to hear a professional's perspective of this monumental task while also hearing her marvel over all the volunteers and helpers who weren't professionals. Reading this gives you a whole new perspective on penguins and their personalities. (I'd heard from South African wildlife ranger friends that they can give nasty bites before, but this painted a much more vivid picture of just how vicious.) The amount of work involved in rescuing animals from an oil spill is not conveyed well in one little news story. I have a whole new appreciation for such people now. I can't even imagine the amount of work deNapoli describes doing. The fact that numerous volunteers lost 10-20 lbs is shocking and just shows how demanding the effort was. deNapoli has penned a very engaging read that is also cautionary and encourages you to really think about some practices. This penguin lover thoroughly enjoyed this read. Recommended to fellow penguin lovers, those who like reading animal rescue/rehab stories, and those who like environmental awareness books.
Notes on content: No language issues that I remember. No sexual content. (Well, penguin mating habits are discussed and how some penguins will get flirty with keepers or inanimate objects, but it wasn't graphic or lewd or anything. Think G rated nature show.) Penguin bite wounds can be awful and there are some rather horrific wounds described. One armed robbery is also mentioned (no one injured physically, just emotionally). Deaths of penguins are mentioned.
I was glad to have read this from the perspective of someone who was a trained penguin keeper. (She worked at a zoo as a penguin keeper in the States when the oil spill happened and was sent by her zoo with the help of some grants to help.) It was great to hear a professional's perspective of this monumental task while also hearing her marvel over all the volunteers and helpers who weren't professionals. Reading this gives you a whole new perspective on penguins and their personalities. (I'd heard from South African wildlife ranger friends that they can give nasty bites before, but this painted a much more vivid picture of just how vicious.) The amount of work involved in rescuing animals from an oil spill is not conveyed well in one little news story. I have a whole new appreciation for such people now. I can't even imagine the amount of work deNapoli describes doing. The fact that numerous volunteers lost 10-20 lbs is shocking and just shows how demanding the effort was. deNapoli has penned a very engaging read that is also cautionary and encourages you to really think about some practices. This penguin lover thoroughly enjoyed this read. Recommended to fellow penguin lovers, those who like reading animal rescue/rehab stories, and those who like environmental awareness books.
Notes on content: No language issues that I remember. No sexual content. (Well, penguin mating habits are discussed and how some penguins will get flirty with keepers or inanimate objects, but it wasn't graphic or lewd or anything. Think G rated nature show.) Penguin bite wounds can be awful and there are some rather horrific wounds described. One armed robbery is also mentioned (no one injured physically, just emotionally). Deaths of penguins are mentioned.
February 19, 2024
This is an excellent recount of the author's experience in the penguin rescue effort after a massive oil spill off the coast of South Africa. Reading the book may cause a full range of emotions - I laughed, cried, felt anger and despair, felt hope. Precious penguins, like other animals, are affected by humans polluting their environment. Penguins are such amazing and resilient creatures but getting oiled en masse is catastrophic. The volunteers who stepped in and worked nonstop under grueling conditions were inspiring and somewhat restored my faith in humanity. With love and compassion, hopefully the African penguins will not become extinct. All humans who live on planet Earth should read this book.
August 1, 2023
I both laughed out loud and cried while reading this book. What an incredible story of people coming together to do exactly what needed to be done for our animals and our planet. AND as a bonus I learned so much about penguins!
I do think that the writing was more vague and wordy than necessary - it often reminded me of myself writing essays for school, trying to increase word count without adding any substance. However, in a book like this, flaws like this just indicate authenticity to me.
This is definitely my favorite book of the year!
I do think that the writing was more vague and wordy than necessary - it often reminded me of myself writing essays for school, trying to increase word count without adding any substance. However, in a book like this, flaws like this just indicate authenticity to me.
This is definitely my favorite book of the year!
June 25, 2019
2.5 Audiobook (read on 1.5). Fascinating insight, learned a lot about the massively labour intensive processes that have to happen to clean up penguins after an oil spill - I had underestimated what goes on.
The book itself was a little long and repetitive and jumped around a lot. Sometimes I felt it was a novel for the ignorant but interested in her story, then many facts and figures made it more of a text book for those in the penguin industry.
The book itself was a little long and repetitive and jumped around a lot. Sometimes I felt it was a novel for the ignorant but interested in her story, then many facts and figures made it more of a text book for those in the penguin industry.
September 19, 2019
Awesome book - really goes into great detail on the status of African penguins (at least as of 2010) and what individuals can do to help conserve the species.
Inspired me to book my own Earthwatch expedition to go and work with them next summer!
Care of Magical Creatures: Read a book with an animal on the cover
Inspired me to book my own Earthwatch expedition to go and work with them next summer!
Care of Magical Creatures: Read a book with an animal on the cover
January 16, 2021
3.5 stars would be more accurate. There's a very compelling story here with fascinating details about penguins and caring for them after a huge oil spill, but the organization of the book isn't ideal and the narrative meanders, sometimes traveling the same roads more than once.
May 18, 2023
The tale itself was fascinating but the organization was lacking, making the story difficult to follow. Some of the information presented didn't even appear to relate to the central topic of the book. Overall it was interesting to read and learn about, but not something I would reach for again.
January 16, 2026
Heart-warming story that got me teary-eyed in many sections. It's amazing what humanity can do when it comes together. Definitley a page turner. Only complaint is the author did often repeat themselves, but then, that also drove the points home she was trying to make. Great read!
October 3, 2017
Started off a little slow but definitely got better as the book went on. I can't imagine what that must have been like, to walk in a room full of oiled penguins. Terrible!
July 25, 2018
I enjoyed this book. Depressing but hopeful. It made me shed some tears, but it also made me smile. Felt like I was there in Salt River Rescue Center!
June 28, 2019
3.5 Stars
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