Penguins' pal flies the coop at S.F. Zoo

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 6/10/5 | Patricia Yollin

[SmithL]

Founder of the animal sex tour quits after clash over birds' care.

Jane Tollini, the world's most famous penguin keeper and creator of the popular Valentine's Day animal sex tour, has left the San Francisco Zoo.

In a decision that no one seems happy about, Tollini decided to quit because she couldn't stand seeing her flock suffer during a recent deadly outbreak of chlamydia and didn't agree with a veterinarian's course of treatment.

"I'm going through withdrawal and separation anxiety," Tollini said. "I'm practically lactating."

Over two decades, she turned a wayward bunch of Magellanic penguins into the most prolific captive colony on the planet and also the most publicized --

thanks to worldwide media attention when the birds embarked on a frenzied 6, 200-mile mock migration around their pool in January 2003.

During her 24 years at the zoo, Tollini gradually became its most visible employee.

Sixteen years ago, she pioneered a Valentine's Day sex tour about animal mating habits that has been copied by zoos throughout North America. And the penguins' peregrinations made her known from Sydney to Saskatchewan. Her colorful quotes popped up everywhere -- from CNN, the BBC and NPR to the New York Times, National Geographic and Der Spiegel.

[SmithL]

Practically Lactating ? ? ?

Jane Tollini, who often spoke to the penguins, retired after disagreeing with a zoo veterinarian over how to treat the birds for chlamydia

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

[Servant of the 9]

The woman must have no sense of smell.
Even coroners and undertakers gag around penguins. SO9

[Mikey_1962]

Sorry SmithL,

I am due back on Earth.

[dixiechick2000]

ROTFLOL!



I think that's the nuttiest
woman I have EVER seen. ;o)

[llevrok]

Penguins? SF zoo?

see the thread from the other day. It explains "all"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1419035/posts