Another of those crimes that seem so senseless and the culprits probably had no idea that there actions could seriously traumatise their victims.

The victims in this case were penguins at the Sea Life Centre in Scarborough and human contact could have a major effect on them – on this occasion the suspects broke into their enclosure and chased them around the area during the early hours of the morning.

Maybe the remote location of the Sea Life Centre, at the top end of Scarborough’s North Bay, may have made it an easy target for what was a spate of crimes over a number of days.

On the bright side we used to visit he centre more for good news stories such as stranded seal pups they had rescued, rehabilitated and eventually released back into the wild.

Penguins at risk again – security cameras attacked

THUGS endangered the lives of penguins when they broke into Scarborough’s Sea Life Centre and chased them around their enclosure.

The incident is one of a spate of crimes at the North Bay tourist attraction during a five-day period, police revealed yesterday.

Penguins are very vulnerable to human contact. On a previous incident in June 2008 they had to be given anti-stress drugs after a teenager broke in and chased them around for 15 minutes.

One penguin, Piglet, was stolen, and could have died in 2004.

A police spokeswoman yesterday confirmed that:

• On April 25 youths caused criminal damage when they broke into the enclosure and startled the penguin population at 2.20am;
• Last Tuesday thieves struck at the snacks bar at 3.50pm;
• Later that day a car knocked down a flag pole at 8.50pm;
• Last Thursday thieves climbed into a yard at the centre and stole timber before damaging CCTV cameras at 9.30pm;
• Last Friday two men triggered alarms at 9.30pm when they broke into a kiosk to force open a till but left empty-handed – they also damaged CCTV cameras.

She added that investigating officers were studying CCTV footage. She said: “It is not known if the incidents are linked but they are in the same area.

“Police are asking for anyone with any information, or who saw anything suspicious in the area, to contact them.”

Laura Booty, the centre’s operations manager, said she was concerned for the welfare of the centre’s animals.

In the wake of the new incidents, the centre has hired security guards to patrol the area during the night.

She said: “The penguins found it incredibly stressful and it affects their well-being. It’s not fun for them.”

The actions in 2008 were caught on CCTV showing him chasing the 14 terrified birds which went into shock. They didn’t eat for two days, and even shunned the Sea Life assistants who look after them.

The CCTV cameras at the centre were donated by Coastal Security in 2004 after Piglet the penguin was stolen from the centre and later recovered from a garden in Barrowcliff.

On returning he was shunned by the others because they sensed he had had human contact.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Tuesday, May 3, 2011.