Zookeepers say stolen penguin could die if it's not returned soon

A penguin stolen from its enclosure at a zoo in Germany will die if it is not returned soon, zookeepers have warned.

Staff at the Luisenpark zoo in the southwestern city of Mannheim noticed the penguin was missing during a routine head count on Saturday.

However, after searching the premises and finding no signs that the penguin had escaped, they have concluded it must have been stolen.

The Humboldt penguin has a number 53 on its wing and an identity chip.

Zookeepers warned that the flightless bird requires a special diet and controlled environment.

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Outside of this it may fail to survive, they added.

Police are appealing for information and hoping for the safe return of the penguin.

It is around 50cm tall and weighs 5kg.

The South American penguin breeds in coastal Chile and Peru, and is similar to the African, Magellanic and Galápagos penguins.