London Zoo Penguins Get Into The Olympic Spirit

By - 317 words

Language

Reading Level

Listen to Article

It is quite normal for cities to go a little overboard during Olympic years, but London, the host of the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics seems to have to have taken it to a totally new level - By training its 64-strong penguin crew to become expert high divers.

Encouraged by the Olympic Committee's 'Inspired by 2012' award for the zoo's animal athletes program, officials were looking for a way to celebrate and decided to begin with the penguins because they love showing off their athletic skills.

Since the flightless birds had already mastered their penguin stroke and flipper-crawl, the zoo keeper decided to give them a new challenge, by installing a diving board on the deep end of their pool, which fittingly enough happens to be England's largest penguin pool.

Sure enough, the penguins have taken to the diving board like professionals and are constantly seen practicing their skills. To showcase their talent, the zoo has added a twist to their wildly popular daily penguin feed.

Called Penguin Beach Live, it showcases the penguins diving and swimming skills, as they leap off the board to catch their fishy meals. It has become so popular that the zoo officials have increased the penguin stadium capacity, so that every visitor can get a prime spot.

What makes it even more fun, is that the board is right above the underwater viewing area, so visitors can see the birds catching their food as they dive in. Just as in the Olympics, the penguins not only have to outshine their own team, but also, other competitors, which in this case happen to be pesky Herons, who often join in the race to get the fish.

However, the penguins will soon have to share their spotlight, since the zoo keeper is planning to introduce additional animal athlete programs. We wonder what's next - monkeys on balance beams perhaps?

digitalspy.com,zsl.org, newslite.tv, dailymail.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk

Cite Article
290 Comments
  • jawason
    jawasonabout 11 years
    awesomely cute!!
    • purplishis02about 11 years
      that is sooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute
      • vichun
        vichunover 11 years
        thats so unique
        • :)over 11 years
          awesome
          • lolo12
            lolo12over 11 years
            An otter playing BB ball and now diving pengins That's impressive.
            • awesomealmost 12 years
              how cute
              • Annaalmost 12 years
                Awh! I Would Give A Gold Metal For Cuteness!!!
                • cutieabout 12 years
                  awsome
                  • abercrombiegurl
                    abercrombiegurlabout 12 years
                    AWEEEE! Dat's sooooooooo cute! Their all doing belly flops into the water it cracks me up!! go penguins! :)
                    • imdabomb
                      imdabombabout 12 years
                      awww, they are so adorable and cute...i would totally give them a gold medal!!