Stolen Jackass penguin's outlook grim

Toga is seen aged 3 weeks in this undated handout image released by Amazon World Zoo Park in the Isle of Wight, southern England December 22, 2005. Police said on Thursday they feared the worst for Toga, a three-month-old Jackass penguin whose plight has prompted headlines around the world after he was stolen from Amazon World Zoo Park five days ago. EDITORIAL USE ONLY REUTERS/Kath Bright/Handout

Stolen Jackass penguin's outlook grim
LONDON (Reuters) - Police said on Thursday they feared the worst for a baby penguin whose plight has prompted headlines around the world after he was stolen from a zoo five days ago.

Toga, a three-month-old Jackass penguin, was snatched on Saturday night from the Amazon World zoo on the Isle of Wight.

Zoo managers think he might have been stolen as a Christmas present by thieves inspired by the hit documentary film "March of the Penguins".

She added the zoo was currently on tenterhooks after an anonymous man called to say he had dumped Toga on Tuesday in a plastic bag at Portsmouth docks on the mainland across from the island.

A rescue team is now on standby to rush out if the report is true and Toga is found.

However Hampshire police who have been investigating the theft said the report had not made them very hopeful that Toga was still alive.

"I think it's really sad," said a police spokeswoman. "I don't envisage a happy ending."