When a 1-year-old Humboldt penguin that escaped from a Tokyo aquarium three months ago dared to set foot on land in Ichikawa on Thursday night, it was captured by hand and finally collared, The Japan Times reported.
An aquarium employee was walking alongside the Edogawa River in Chiba Prefecture at 5:30 p.m. and spotted the fugitive penguin, which escaped in March.
The penguin was seen swimming in the river near the Kanamachi water purification plant in Katsushika Ward earlier in the week. Last week, people also saw it thriving and snacking on small fish in Tokyo Bay. It was assumed that the bird was finding some place to rest onshore at night.
The fugitive bird, known as Penguin 337, somehow scaled a 13-foot wall and got through a barbed-wire fence to get into the bay. Aquarium officials believe it escaped through small gaps that cats and frogs can pass through.
Officials from Tokyo Sea Life Park feared the penguin would not survive in the waters of the bay, busy with marine traffic headed for densely populated Tokyo.
"It didn't look like it has gotten thinner over the past two months, or been without food. It doesn't seem to be any weaker. So it looks as if it's been living quite happily in the middle of Tokyo Bay," Kazuhiro Sakamoto, deputy director of the park, told Reuters.
The penguin was filmed by a Japanese coast guard patrol craft on May 7, but the crew was unable to catch it then.
Penguin 337 is one of 135 penguins at Tokyo Sea Life Park.
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Someone should tell Bat Man.
I say give the bird a name. He's earned it? Any suggestions? How 'bout "Free Bird."
How about Steve McQueen?
I wonder if he had to assume the position before being frisked and cuffed ? His lawyer also needs to inquire if he was read his miranda rights.
That's hilarious! Good one.
That is one tough little bird! I was sort of hoping he'd never be caught.
He was missing his buddies and his girlfriend.
How sad. They might have rescued it thinkg they were protecting it from being hit by passing ships. but wouldn't it be nice to let the little guy go back in his own environment and let him be free? Obviously he really wanted to be free by escaping the zoo. It another example of how humans screw up everything. I'ms surpised no one caught it and ate it over there.
Lol! That last sentence was so terrible but it made me laugh so hard that I had to tell you.
He had to have been lonely but bet he enjoyed his short freedom in the big open waters. He'll have some stories to tell his buddies.
Hopefully Batman will find the Joker and the Riddler soon as well.
It's a joke. Penguin=Batman villain. I thought it was funny.
really? no happy feet for this little prisoner!
337? What kind of name is that? This bird deserves a name. He's earned it.
Call him Logan, or Skipper!
Sorry to hear that Myron was captured. Hopefully penguin isnt a delicacy and he's put back in the penguin population, not solitary confinement.
Let the little guy go! Obviously, he doesn't to be a prisioner anymore!
He/She? was just trying to escape the radiation...let it alone.
Small holes that "cats and frogs" can slip through ? How can a penguin slip through a hole the size of a frog ?