Penguin recovering from feather condition in isolation binge-watches Pingu to help ease loneliness

Rebecca Speare-Cole27 August 2020

A penguin recovering from feather moulting problems in an Australian zoo has been binge-watching Pingu to cure his loneliness while in isolation.

Pierre, an endangered Northern rockhopper penguin who is less than a year old, was found washed up on a beach in Western Australia after swimming from islands in the Indian or South Atlantic Ocean.

He was taken to Perth Zoo's vet department where he was found to be experiencing feather moulting issues.

This means he is not waterproof and cannot yet return to the wild.

A penguin, who is recovering from feather moulting problems in an Australian zoo, has been binge-watching Pingu to cheer himself up
7 News

While rehabilitating, staff realised that he was growing lonely as he spent time away from other penguins.

They decided to lift his spirits by letting him watch episodes of Pingu on an iPad.

Pierre at Perth Zoo
Perth Zoo

He has also been watching live streams of rockhopper penguins at Kansas City Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo

Speaking to 7News one of the zookeepers said: "What I have here is an iPad for our rockhopper penguin Pierre.

Peirre watches the iPad at Perth Zoo
7 News

"Pierre is by himself in the vet department and does get a bit lonely at times, and to make his life a bit more enriching we've decided to get other rockhoppers online for him to watch."

"Pierre's been enjoying watching them and seeing them in their little habitats at their zoo," the keeper added.

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