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Penguins Can't Fly, But YSU Bird Takes Off"
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Penguins are flightless birds, but one -- named "Mosaic in Metal" -- apparently has found a way to fly the coop. The five-foot tall fiberglass penguin, one of 31 in the summer Penguin Parade public arts project, is missing.The penguin, decorated with hundreds of one-inch square stainless steel tiles and bolted to a two-foot base, was last seen 5 a.m. July 17 between Moser Hall and Ward Beecher Hall on the Youngstown State University campus. It was discovered missing early that afternoon, university officials said. The bird arrived on campus July 10 and disappeared before the artist was to pick it up after the arts festival.The YSU Police Department is investigating the case and working with local law enforcement agencies to assure that the remaining penguins remain grounded, according to Chief John Gocala. Theft of one of the penguins, he said, could result in a charge of felony theft.Patricia Brozik, executive director of the Community Foundation, said the other 30 penguins -- four of which are displayed on the YSU campus and 26 others at locations throughout the Mahoning Valley -- are safe and sound. "The community has been very appreciative and respectful of these penguins as works of art," she said, adding that the foundation owns and insures the penguins. Penguin Parade is a public arts project co-sponsored by YSU and the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley. Penguin sculptures, sponsored by local businesses and individuals and decorated in a variety of colorful ways by local artists, were placed in locations throughout the YSU campus during the Summer Festival of the Arts July 10 and 11. After the arts festival, the penguins were delivered to locations throughout Mahoning and Trumbull counties, where they will stay until an auction is conducted in October.Anyone with any information about the missing penguin are asked to call YSU police at (330) 941-3527.See a photo of the penguin: www.ysu.edu/penguinparade/cooper.html "