DIRK THE fairy penguin survived his night on the town and lived to tell the tale, as it were. But the two well-oiled British tourists who broke into an Australian theme park and stole him from his enclosure were yesterday fined AUS $1,000 each (about €780).
Rhys Owen Jones (21) and Keri Mules (20) pleaded guilty in Brisbane to trespassing, stealing and keeping a protected animal.
The two from south Wales were arrested after breaking into an aquarium after an alcohol-fuelled escapade on April 14th. They snuck in after drinking a staggering 1.5 litres of vodka between them at a beach party. When they woke next day in their apartment, Dirk was there too. They fed him and put him in the shower when they woke up with hangovers. But their conduct was revealed when they posted photos on Facebook.
Dirk, none the worse for wear, has since been reunited with his girlfriend, Peaches. (PA)