Photo Story: The Penguin Parade & Sir Nils Olav

There is a special event that occurs every day by the penguin enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo. They call it the Penguin Parade. Its probably the cutest thing you will experience at the Zoo and like Haribo sweets, is loved by children and adults alike.

What is It

The parade occurs every afternoon around 2pm(ish) when the Penguins gather at the gate to their enclosure. Together with their keepers they run a lap around the path that encircles their enclosure. I say run, its more of a penguin waddle and at the pace of their choosing.

^{Penguins on the run!}

I will point out that the penguins are not compelled to do this, they choose to and its not always the same penguins. Its just the ones that are in the mood to go for a wander. To quote the Edinburgh Zoo website directly: "The penguin parade is run on an entirely voluntary basis. It is the penguins choice to take part, we do not encourage them with food. Unfortunately this does mean that occasionally the parade is cancelled if they do not wish to go out.”

^{They are surprisingly fast}

The Zoo has Gentoo, Rockhopper and King penguins. On this occasion only some Gentoo penguins and a couple King penguins decided to go for a walk.

^{The keepers escort them and protect them from the crowds}

How it all began

So how did this ridiculously cute tradition start? Well one day (many years ago -the 80s i think) a penguin escaped from the enclosure and went on a little adventure around the Zoo. At first the keepers were freaking out and scrambled to recapture him. Probably worried he’d be hurt or would leave the Zoo grounds and get hurt. When they found him they discovered he was just exploring the Zoo and saying "hi" to the animals in the other enclosures. So they decided to just follow and see what he’d do.

^{The King Penguins tend to go at their own more sedate pace.}

Eventually he made his way back to the penguin enclosure by himself and waddled right up to the enclosure entrance and squawked at the keeper to let him back inside. Ever since then various penguins (when in the mood) would gather at the enclosure door to be let out for a walk.

^{He's the star of the show and he knows it!}

^{Finished for the day they head back inside the enclosure}

Sir Nils Olav

On top of the super cute parade, Edinburgh Zoo allows you to adopt a penguin, and in 1972 Major Nils Egelien organised the adoption of one of the King Penguins on behalf of Norway. He is called Nils Olav after the Major and King Olav of Norway. Since then he has taken on the role of mascot of the Norwegian Guard who visit him whenever they come to Edinburgh.

As Mascot, Nils holds an official rank within the Norwegian military. In 1982 he was awarded the rank of Corporal. Since that time he has continued to advance in the ranks:

1982 - Corporal
1987 - Sergeant
1993 - Regimental Sergeant Major
2001 - Honourable Regimental Sergeant Major
2005 - Colonel-in-Chief
2016 - Brigadier

He now holds the rank of Brigadier. I kid you not, this is real.

Knighthood

In 2008 Nils Olav became Sir Nils Olav in honour of his long and honourable service to Norway. King Harald V of Norway himself approved the knighthood. 130 Norwegian Guardsmen and some lucky spectators were in attendance as Sir Nils walks down to receive his knighthood.

<sup>Sir Nils inspecting the troops before being knighted
Source: Edinburgh Zoo Website

Sir Nils being Knighted
Source: Edinburgh Zoo Website</sup>

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All Images taken by me unless otherwise indicated.