Penguin stretches legs at 30,000 feet...

Who said penguins couldn't fly? Bird causes a stir as he roams aisles on a passenger plane 

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:39 PM on 21st March 2011

Whoever said that penguins couldn't fly, should have a word this flippered fame-seeker. 

Passengers on Pete the Penguin's trans-American flight had to double take when they saw the SeaWorld star waddling down the aisles.

But this was no feathered fugitive. Pete, a South American Magellan Penguin, was given special dispensation by cabin crew to stretch his legs.

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Penguin on a plane: Passengers on Pete the Penguin's trans-American flight had to double take when they saw the South American Magellanic Penguin waddling down the aisles

He had earlier been appearing at a national science convention in San Fransisco, California, before boarding the 90-minute flight to his San Diego home.

As he sauntered around, his SeaWorld keepers gave those flying on the Southwest flight a free lecture on penguins over the in-flight intercom.

 

And as his fellow passengers stared in amazement, as the arctic bird, usually more at home in the sea than in the air, seemed to take it all in his stride.

Word of the unexpected passenger began to spread across the internet last week when videos uploaded by those on the flight began to appear on YouTube.

Important exercise: Pete, who had been appearing at a national science convention, was given special dispensation by cabin crew to stretch his legs

Cheeky: As he sauntered around, his SeaWorld keepers gave those flying on the Southwest flight a free lecture on penguins over the in-flight intercom

Magellanic Penguins take their name from the Magellan Strait, in Chile, where they originate from and live to between 25 and 30 years old.

Despite the millions that inhabit the coastlines of Chile and Argentina, they are classed as a threatened species due to their vulnerability to oil spills, which kill around 20,000 adults and 22,000 youngsters every year.

Unlike most animals, Magellanic Penguins mate for life, usually meeting the same partner year after year. The male reclaims his burrow from the previous year and waits to reconnect with his female partner, who is able to recognise her mate through his call alone.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1368402/Who-said-penguins-fly-SeaWorld-penguin-causes-stir-roams-aisles-passenger-plane.html#ixzz1HEnYvOdE