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You
may have heard a sweet story about a penguin named Dindim. And how
this penguin swims thousands of miles every year to see the man who
had given him a second chance at life.
The
story was first told by a biologist Joao Paulo Krajewski (his last
name sounds like one the penguins of Madagascar “Kowalski”).
This
Penguin was found dying because of an oil spill.
According to bird-rescue.org “when oil sticks to a bird's feathers, it causes them to mat and
separate, impairing waterproofing and exposing the animal's sensitive
skin to extremes in temperature. This can result in hypothermia,
meaning the bird becomes cold, or hyperthermia, which results in
overheating. Instinctively, the bird tries to get the oil off its
feathers by preening, which results in the animal ingesting the oil
and causing severe damage to its internal organs. In this emergency
situation, the focus on preening overrides all other natural
behaviors, including evading predators and feeding, making the bird
vulnerable to secondary health problems such as severe weight loss,
anemia and dehydration. Many oil-soaked birds lose their buoyancy and
beach themselves in their attempt to escape the cold water.”
This
Penquin is so lucky to be found at the right time back in May 2011.
Dindim the Magellanic penguin can hardly move when a local citizen
found him. Pereira de Souza found the helpless creature in his
backyard which opens up onto Proveta Beach in Rio de Janeiro State,
Brazil.
The
71-year-old retired mason cared for the penguin by washing the oil
off of Dindim's body and fed the bird sardines over the next few days
while the penguin was still recuperating.
When
Dindim became strong enough, Pereira de Souza took him to a nearby
island and released the bird into the sea. Then surprise! Later that
day, Pereira de Souza heard squeaking in his backyard. He saw the
penguin had returned and was squawking out for him.
Pereira
de Souza's grandson who was about 2 years old, is the inspiration
behind Dindim's name. The grandson "could not properly pronounce
the word 'pinguim,' Portuguese for penguin," said the biologist
Krajewski, the toddler would pronounce it "Dindim." So
they called the bird Dindim others said Jinjing.
Dindim
took up temporary residence in Pereira de Souza's backyard until
February 2012. In that month of February, Dindim simply disappeared.
It's not known where he went but months later he returned.
"Because
penguins are usually very loyal to their pair and breeding site,
where they spend the summer, they tend to come back to the same place
every year," said Krajewski.
Every
month of June Pereira de Souza will know that Dindim is back because
the bird always calls out and waits for him from his back yard. This
happened every year. The penguin returns in late June and stays
until mid-February.
It
is said that the Penquin seems to be excited every time he sees de
Souza from his journey. Dindim always has lots of kisses for de
Souza.
Dindim
allowed de Souza to pick him up and put him on his lap and clean him.
But Dindim doesn't allow anybody to pick him up. He will squawk if
people do that.
Penguins
like Dindim are known for their loud, mournful calls just like a
donkey.
Krajewski
says they don't know where Dimdim goes the rest of the year, but the
biologist says it's extremely unlikely that he travels to Patagonia
which is known to be a breeding ground for Magellanic penguins. When
these penguins finish breeding and moulting, they migrate and spend
months feeding in the sea.
Krajewski
said that Dindim is about 6 years old. Researchers with Brazil's
Ubatuba Aquarium also took a blood sample and tagged him for future
research.
"Professionals
who work with animal rescues make the most to avoid relationships
like this so they are able to reintroduce the animal into the wild,"
said Krajewski. But Dindim's situation is very different. Dindim is
allowed to spend time with the man he trusted with his life.
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