Washing and saving penguins

At least one hundred penguins and other sea birds, found along Uruguay's beaches, were affected by the oil spill after two merchant ships collided off the coast of Uruguay. The Greek merchant ship Syros suffered a fuel leak after colliding with the Maltese vessel Sea Bird on June 4.

Over 60 dead oil-covered Magellanic penguins washed up on Uruguay's coast Sunday that environmentalists believe is linked to an oil spill, following a collision between two ships near Montevideo's port a few days ago.

Meanwhile, 34 live oil-covered penguins appeared on the beaches of this South American nation's southern coast, Richard Tesore of the SOS-Marine Life Rescue environmental group said.

Scientists fear the penguin death toll is likely to rise in the coming days.

An oil-covered penguin is seen in the backyard of the S.O.S Rescate Fauna Marina (S.O.S Ocean Fauna Rescue), a non-governmental organization devoted to the rescue of ocean fauna, in Piriapolis, about 100 km (62 miles) east of Montevideo.

An oil-covered penguin is carried by Richard Tesore, manager of S.O.S Rescate Fauna Marina.

An oil-covered penguin is washed with fresh water and soap to remove the oil.

An oil-covered penguin is washed with fresh water and soap to remove the oil.

An oil-covered penguin is seen in the backyard of the S.O.S Rescate Fauna Marina.

An oil-covered penguin is washed with fresh water and soap to remove the oil.

A penguin affected by oil spill is fed and being taken care of by non-government organization S.O.S Rescate de Fauna Marina devoted to the rescue of ocean fauna.

Photos: Reuters