Peregrine Announces Commencement of 2009 Diamond Exploration Programme at Chidliak, Baffin Island, Canada

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, May 27 (MARKET WIRE) --
Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. ("Peregrine" or "the Company") (TSX: PGD) is
pleased to report that the 2009 diamond exploration programme has
commenced on the 9,800 square kilometre Chidliak property ("Chidliak" or
"the Property"), Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. Since the programme
commenced on April 15, activities completed include over 800 line
kilometres of ground geophysics, construction of a second exploration
camp and mobilization of equipment and supplies to the Property.

As announced on February 12, 2009, the approved $9.2 million 2009
Chidliak exploration programme includes the following key elements:

- Core Drilling. Known kimberlites and new kimberlite targets will be
drilled. Kimberlite core will be logged at a secure facility in Iqaluit
and select intervals will be analyzed for microdiamonds by caustic fusion.

- CH-1 Mini-bulk Sample. A 50 tonne mini-bulk sample from the CH-1
kimberlite will be collected and processed to obtain additional
commercial-size diamonds.

- Heavy Mineral Sampling. Over 1,200 kimberlite indicator mineral samples
will be collected throughout the Property.

- Ground Magnetic and Electromagnetic Geophysical Surveys. Ground surveys
were completed over 37 geophysical anomalies in May.

- Construction of a second 24-person camp. There is now capacity at
Chidliak for up to 48 people.

- Initiation of an Environmental Baseline Study. Initial baseline work
will include wildlife surveys, an initial habitat assessment, a
preliminary hydrology study and an archeological survey.

Camp Construction and Mobilization

To date, exploration at Chidliak has been conducted from an exploration
camp, named Discovery, with a gravel airstrip suitable for the landing of
Twin Otter aircraft in the summer. In April and May, a second exploration
camp, named Sunrise, was constructed near a lake which currently hosts an
ice airstrip capable of accommodating DC-3 and Twin Otter aircraft. Each
of the two exploration camps have capacity to support up to 24 people.

Boart Longyear Canada has mobilized an LM55 core drill to Iqaluit for use
at Chidliak. The drill and associated equipment is currently being
mobilized to the Property in preparation for the drill programme
scheduled to start in late June. A Caterpillar(R) Multi-Terrain loader
was transported to Chidliak overland by two Bombardier Sno-Cats.
Approximately 140 barrels of Jet A fuel and 60 barrels of diesel fuel
will have been mobilized to the Property by the end of May. Additional
fuel required for the 2009 programme will be shipped to Iqaluit on the
sealift in early July.

Ground Geophysics

Over 800 line kilometres of ground magnetic surveys and over 20 line
kilometres of ground electromagnetic surveys were completed in May. The
ground surveys currently cover 37 geophysical anomalies selected for
follow-up this season from the 190 anomalies that were identified in the
11,700 line kilometre airborne geophysical survey that was completed in
2008. Upon completion of the interpretation of the ground geophysical
data, high-priority kimberlite targets will be selected for drilling this
summer. Anomalies currently not covered by ground geophysical surveys
will be further prioritized this year through ground checking supported
by geochemical and kimberlite indicator mineral sampling. To date,
airborne geophysical surveys have been flown over only 15 percent of the
Property and additional airborne surveys will be considered as part of
the 2010 exploration programme.

CH-1 Mini-Bulk Sample

The collection of a 50 tonne mini-bulk sample from the CH-1 kimberlite
that was originally scheduled for May has been deferred to July or August
after the snow has melted. The site was evaluated during May and found to
have approximately four metres of snow covering the kimberlite outcrop
area. The sample collected in the summer will be processed for
commercial-size diamonds and results are still expected in the fourth
quarter of this year. A 2.28 tonne sample collected from CH-1 in 2008
returned a diamond content of 1.56 carats per tonne for diamonds larger
than the 0.85 mm sieve size. A 2.01 carat, gem quality diamond was
recovered from the sample. The diamond results from the 50 tonne sample,
together with geological information and diamond results obtained from
core drilling this summer, will allow for a continuing assessment of the
diamond content, quality and tonnage potential of CH-1.

Photographs from this year's Chidliak programme and images of four
geophysical anomalies over which ground geophysical surveys have been
completed are available at http://www.pdiam.com/i/pdf/chidliak6.pdf.

Peregrine is the operator of the approved Chidliak exploration programme
which will be fully funded by BHP Billiton. As announced on November 24,
2008, BHP Billiton has elected to exercise its earn-in rights for
Chidliak and under the terms of the earn-in agreement, must incur a total
of $22.3 million dollars in exploration expenditures in order to earn a
51% interest in the Property.

Mr. Peter Holmes, P. Geo., Peregrine's Vice President, Exploration, is a
Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and is responsible for the design and
conduct of the programs carried out by the Company at Chidliak. Mr.
Holmes has reviewed this release and approves of its contents.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking
statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact,
that address activities, events or developments that the Company
believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future
(including, without limitation, statements relating to the proposed
exploration program, funding availability, anticipated exploration
results, resource estimates, and future exploration and operating plans)
are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect
the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information
currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual
results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the
forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized
or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have
the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that
could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current
expectations include, among other things, uncertainties relating to the
availability and cost of funds, timing and content of work programs,
results of exploration activities, interpretation of drilling results and
other geological data, world diamond markets, future diamond prices,
reliability of mineral property titles, changes to regulations affecting
the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain
required project approvals, any changing budget priorities of BHP
Billiton, operational and infrastructure risks, and other risks involved
in the diamond exploration business. Any forward-looking statement speaks
only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by
applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or
obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result
of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the
Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking
statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees
of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on
such statements due to their inherent uncertainty.

Contacts:
Peregrine Diamonds Ltd.
Brooke Clements
President
604-408-8880

Peregrine Diamonds Ltd.
Eric Friedland
CEO
604-408-8880

Peregrine Diamonds Ltd.
Investor Relations
604-408-8880
604 408-8881 (FAX)
investorrelations@pdiam.com
www.pdiam.com

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