Scientists have discovered that some penguins are suffering from a mysterious condition which causes them to lose their feathers.

SEATTLE, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise West (www.cruisewest.com), the world's leading provider of small-ship explorations to the most fascinating destinations on earth, ventures to rugged and mysterious Patagonia in 2011 with four departures aboard the spacious 64-cabin mv Via Australis.

Linda the penguin has split up two male penguins who lived as a nesting couple for six years at the San Francisco Zoo, caretakers said.

About 300 penguins originating from frigid waters are being found washed up on shores closer to the equator than usual, according to Brazilian wildlife authorities.

To: OUTDOORS EDITORS Contact: Michael Booth of IFAW - US, +52-55-5662-0559, mbooth@ifaw.org; or Joaquin de la Torre of IFAW - Latin America, +52 (55) 5662-0559 ext.