Oceanarium staff doubtful of finding Buddy the penguin
The case against two Port Elizabeth students who stole Buddy the Penguin from the Bayworld oceanarium and released him into the ocean in September this year - has been postponed to next month.
Twenty-two-year-old Adrian Doman and 18-year-old Emile Du Plessis are facing charges of theft, contravention of marine conservation regulations and trespassing.
The duo handed themselves over to police after the story made international headlines.
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They told police they released Buddy into the ocean at Pollock Beach - as they did not believe penguins should be in captivity.
Bayworld's Dylan Bailey says they don't think they'll find Buddy.
"We don't expect to get him back, considering the time that has lapsed since he was taken from us. We have been following-up on leads which people have been reporting and we're checking. At this point in time it's very unlikely we'll find him," he said.
Buddy's two chicks died at the oceanarium shortly after he was taken.