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UPDATE: Sept. 30,Watch Officetel: Lover Friend Online 2016, 6:53 a.m. EDT Updated to include comments from a Sept. 30 press release from Bayworld.

The search is on to save the life of an endangered African penguin named Buddy.

The Washington Post reported that Buddy was stolen from Bayworld, a conservation and research facility for marine animals in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on Sept. 22 by two student activists who claim they were acting out against animals being kept in captivity.

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Unfortunately, since Buddy was born in the marine park, he has no idea how to survive in the wild, meaning this unexpected release could lead to his demise.

SEE ALSO: Badass Scottish penguin promoted to the rank of Brigadier

According to The Washington Post, experts have said the African penguin could last a mere two more weeks before starving to death.

The publication reported that Dylan Bailey, manager of Bayworld said Buddy "is completely ill-equipped to survive in the wild" and though the staff is unaware of the penguin's location, he confirmed Buddy was in good health when he was released into the wild.

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"We are optimistic," Bailey said. "We have hope he will come ashore before he becomes too weak."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The park learned of Buddy's disappearance on Sept. 23, a day after he was taken from his two new chicks and mate, Francis -- who is now unable to leave her nest without Buddy to watch it. Bailey explained that the animals are monogamous and said, if they can't get Buddy back the park will try to pair Francis with another bird, "but it may not be successful."

Though a connection has not officially been made, park officials reported that since Buddy's disappearance one of his chicks has passed away. In a Sept. 30 press release, Bayworld announced, "It is with great sadness that we report the second chick of Buddy and Frances has passed away. The cause of death is yet to be established."

Bayworld's website states that the African penguin population was declared endangered in 2010 and is currently "less than 5 percent of the original population." The population is rapidly declining, "with an 80 percent decline since the 1950s, and a 60 percent decline in the past decade."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

CCTV cameras captured footage of the two students, believed to be in their early 20s, climbing into Buddy's pool at Bayworld and putting him in their car. Bayworld told The Washington Post that they then drove about two miles to Pollock Beach and set Buddy free in the South Indian Ocean.

"The individuals stated that they did not agree with the penguins being kept in captivity and that their intention was to capture and then release a penguin back into the wild,” a Bayworld representative told The Washington Post. "After realizing the severity of the incident they had decided to come forward. … At the time they believed they were acting in the best interests of the animals and there was never any intention to harm the bird in any way."

As of Sept. 30, Bayworld said the search for Buddy remains ongoing and has requested the help of the public in finding him. He has a tag on his flipper with the numbers 2 6 6 (red blue blue).

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