An adorable animal that has been dubbed the “world’s fattest penguin” wolfs down an impressive 25 fish in a day and has tourists flocking to him from the other side of the world.
Pesto from Melbourne, Australia, who stands at 35.4 inches tall and weighs a whopping 48.5lbs, has gained a cult following at just nine months old.
6
6
6
6
The baby King penguin gobbles up to a massive 25 fish a day – including rainbow trout, salmon and sand whiting.
The furry brown penguin has melted so many Brits’ hearts that some have made plans to fly 10,500 miles to see Pesto in the flesh at Sea Life.
One animal-lover said: “Flying to Melbourne from England on Wednesday, first stop is to see Pesto.”
Another fan named Archie added: “I’m currently crying because I live in England and can’t see Pesto.”
The penguin’s brown feathers have led to him being described as a “kiwi” by some fans.
But when Pesto he learns how to swim, he’ll shed these unique feathers, in a process is known as fledgling.
His weight is expected to drop to around 33lbs, and his brown feathers will be replaced with standard black and white penguin feathers.
The nestling only hatched earlier this year but is already taller than both of his parents – Hudson and Tango.
A recent clip that shows the unlikely social media star stand tall and proud while workers dance behind him has amassed a staggering 3 million views.
Another video shows Pesto wobbling towards the camera among a sea of black and white penguins.
Fans were quick to profess their love for the penguin in the comments.
One asked: “Why is Pesto the best penguin name ever?,” while another was keen to “adopt him”.
A different user described the penguin as “an icon”, and another called him “a lovely chap”.
One even joked: “What are y’all feeding pesto? The other penguins?” and another felt the nestling was “too adorable”.
Sea Life Melbourne say Pesto is “officially the largest chick” they’ve ever seen.
Staff insist that he is not overweight but admit he has a tendency to eat a lot.
Jacinta Early, from Sea Life Melbourne told The Telegraph: “He’s just a big baby.
“He’s eating quite a bit but he’s not at all considered to be an unhealthy weight.”
Jacinta added: “He’s going to start losing that really adorable baby fluff.
“It might take him one to two months to really get rid of it. Then he’ll be nice and sleek and streamlined.
It comes just weeks after one half of a world-famous same-sex penguin couple tragically died at the age of 11.
Sphen, a gentoo penguin died in Australia, leaving his partner of six years, Magic, behind.
Sphen’s partner Magic, eight, was taken to his body to help the penguin understand that Sphen wouldn’t return.
The heartbroken penguin started singing goodbye which was reciprocated by the broader penguin colony.
The gay penguin couple shot to fame in 2018 when they fell in love at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.
6
6