TOKYO: A female Cape penguin named Pen-chan has been found safe two weeks after escaping into the sea and swimming for miles—a rescue her keeper has called a “miracle.”
Pen-chan, who had never swum in the open sea or fended for herself, disappeared from an event in central Japan’s Aichi region on August 25. Keeper Ryosuke Imai and his team began an immediate search, but efforts were hampered by a massive typhoon that brought record rains to Japan. Given Pen-chan’s inexperience and the harsh conditions, the team feared she wouldn’t survive long.
To their astonishment, on September 8, Imai learned that Pen-chan had been spotted swimming at a beach 30 miles away. “I expected her to be exhausted, but she was swimming as usual,” Imai said upon her recapture. “It was beyond my surprise… It’s a miracle.”
Imai speculated that the six-year-old penguin had survived by catching fish and crabs, and taking breaks along the way. Although she had lost some weight, Pen-chan was reported to be in good condition.
