A penguin chick that left even Melbourne’s sea life staff stunned

Everyone is crazy about the little penguin born at the beginning of the year in an Australian aquarium. The chick, named Pesto, has become a media star due to his size, despite having never known anything other than photographs, ballet and captivity

That was definitely the feeling among staff at Melbourne’s Sea Life aquarium, people who are used to working with captive animals, when this penguin chick came along. Whereas its peers had an average weight and size, this little fellow is anything but for a “baby” penguin.

But Pesto, 9 months, has become an international sensation, the star of the aquarium where he was born. And the reason for his stardom? The pounds aplenty and a height surpassing even his relatives, Hudson and Tango.

A giant in the making

This January-born penguin, Pesto, is above 46 pounds and has an excellent appetite; he can consume around 25 fish a day. When not feasting, he joins the rest of the Emperor Penguins in waddling clumsily to keep up with them.

Photos and videos shared by the staff in social media create rounds of curiosity among users, many wondering if his egg, too, was that big. He is called the Very Important Penguin, or the VIP, and he is known to join in playful dances.

One can’t help but wonder if this new venture aligns with what Sea Life says it does: work to protect marine wildlife. Sea Life’s network of 17 countries housing aquariums has, through the years, been assailed by animal rights activists for putting marine life into prison and showing them off for appeal and entertainment to the public. Pesto is just the latest of these attractions.

He is not at all excited to meet the families on weekends, weekdays, or during the year if the following Facebook posts are anything to go by. It is often that aquariums and zoos cash in the moment captive births take place. They launch well-framed communication campaigns.

A selling narrative

With a story mainly of warm cuteness, they sell more tickets and memberships. Pesto is the biggest chick Melbourne’s Sea Life has ever seen and will likely continue to be at least until he molts and loses weight.

But aside from all that, like all the other penguins in the colony, he is a wild animal raised well outside its natural range, born and bred with no freedom.

Source: Sea Life Melbourne