Lost penguins get Brazil air lift

Every year penguins make their way north from the colder waters near to Patagonia in search of food. But the numbers and distances the penguins have travelled this year have amazed the authorities.

At least 1,000 birds are now said to have washed up on the coast of Brazil, some of which have died along the way.

Some are thought to have made a journey of more than 3,000km (1,860 miles) from the cold waters of Patagonia on the southern tip of South America.

 Some experts have said that penguin migration is closely linked to their need for food, and that the unusual journey the penguins are making suggests something has gone wrong with their normal fish supply.

Experts say it is not clear whether this is due to changes in water temperatures and ocean currents or man-made pollution.

 It is an annual task for the Brazilian air force to help return penguins to their native territory but it seems this year they are coping with higher numbers of their unusual passengers.

Hundreds of penguins were flown this week in a Hercules plane down to the southern tip of Brazil, where they are being released into the ocean - while some are to return on a navy vessel.