Scoop  Regional

18 November 2016

Oamaru Community Wins Peta 'Proggy' Award for Penguin Passage

'Proggy' Stands for 'Progress': Town Works Together to Help Smallest Residents

Oamaru – For their commitment to providing penguins with a safe passage between their nests and the sea via an underpass – without the stress of traffic or humans in their path – the Oamaru community will soon receive a Proggy Award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In addition, the story will be featured on PETA.org.au. PETA's Proggy Awards ("Proggy" is for "progress") recognise animal-friendly achievements.

"Urban environments can be dangerous places for native animals", says PETA Australia Associate Director of Campaigns Ashley Fruno. "The Oamaru community deserves to be congratulated for this initiative which will better the lives of some of its smallest residents."

Initially proposed by the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, the project was embraced by the Waitaki District Council, Tourism Waitaki, and several local businesses that offered services and materials free of charge.

The underpass is the first of its kind in New Zealand.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.au.

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