Twelve penguins have died at the San Francisco Zoo, after an outbreak of chlamydia. Zoo officials are blaming an infected seagull (no doubt a bird that hangs out on the wrong side of the tracks). But I have another theory.

The bacteria, which was most likely transmitted to the birds by an infected seagull, is spread through airborne saliva or other bodily fluids, said Bob Jenkins, the zoo's director of animal care and conservation. A similar disease is sexually transmitted in humans.

"One quick exposure and you're off and running," Jenkins said, adding that at its height, nearly 80 percent of the zoo's penguin colony was infected. "It required very aggressive treatment on our part." [...]

Some of the zoo's 55 remaining penguins are still recovering, he said.

"It's a strong colony, so it seems to be bouncing back well," Jenkins said.

Pardon me for being skeptical, but I think they should have the staff tested. Ten bucks says there's some sicko out there with chlamydia diddling the penguins. I mean, this did happen in San Francisco.