The Great Penguin Rescue: 40,000 Penguins, a Devastating Oil Spill, and the Inspiring Story of the World's Largest Animal Rescue

The heartwarming true story of a dedicated team—including renowned penguin expert Dyan deNapoli—who saved over 40,000 African penguins from an environmental disaster, showcasing the power of wildlife conservation and human compassion.

On June 23, 2000, the iron ore carrier MV Treasure foundered off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, spilling 1,300 tons of oil into the ocean and contaminating the habitat of 75,000 penguins—thus threatening to decimate 41 percent of the world’s population of African penguins. A massive rescue effort was launched, with penguin expert Dyan deNapoli—better known as The Penguin Lady—serving as a rehabilitation supervisor. By the end of a grueling, but ultimately rewarding, three months, she and her fellow volunteers had de-oiled, nursed back to health, and released into the wild nearly all of the affected birds. The Great Penguin Rescue is the extraordinary and heartwarming true story of the world’s largest and most successful wildlife rescue and a moving portrait of these captivating birds.

Dyan deNapoli - better known as The Penguin Lady - is a penguin expert, TED and Nat Geo speaker, author, and educator. She served as a rehabilitation manager during the historic rescue of 40,000 penguins from the Treasure oil spill in South Africa. Her book about this remarkable event is the recipient of four literary awards.