Fugitive penguin apparently thriving in Tokyo Bay
Penguin 337 is shown shortly after its escape from Tokyo Sea Life Park in March.
May 17th, 2012
08:40 AM ET

Fugitive penguin apparently thriving in Tokyo Bay

A penguin that escaped from a Japanese aquarium in March is apparently thriving in Tokyo Bay, according to news reports from Japan.

The fugitive bird, known as Penguin 337, somehow scaled a 13-foot-high wall and then got through a barbed-wire fence to get into the bay.

Officials from Tokyo Sea Life Park feared the 1-year-old Humbolt penguin would not survive in the waters of the bay, busy with marine traffic headed for densely populated Tokyo.

But apparently 337 is making meals of small fish in the bay and finding some place to rest onshore at night, park officials said, according to a Reuters.

"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.

See the latest photo of the penguin on Reuters AlertNet.

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Filed under: Animals • Japan • Penguins
soundoff (132 Responses)
  1. STEVE

    Just like a Chinese political activist.

    May 17, 2012 at 4:02 pm | Report abuse |
  2. answerman28

    I love penguins 🙂 good luck out there buddy.

    May 17, 2012 at 4:03 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Futon Torpedo

    In that picture he's "flippin" off the navy! LOL!

    May 17, 2012 at 4:04 pm | Report abuse |
  4. NEATO!

    This story is NEATO!

    May 17, 2012 at 4:08 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Gloria

    Hope he stays safe and has a great Penguin life!!

    May 17, 2012 at 4:09 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Adrian

    Cute and Cuddly boyz, cute and Cuddly!

    May 17, 2012 at 4:10 pm | Report abuse |
    • JD JR

      This undercover operation is going well...too well...Kowalski, analysis!

      May 17, 2012 at 6:08 pm | Report abuse |
  7. NorCalMojo

    Alright, who let the penguins watch Madagascar?

    May 17, 2012 at 4:13 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Billy

    There's a Penguin-zilla joke in here somewhere!

    May 17, 2012 at 4:21 pm | Report abuse |
    • Cleveland

      Billy, that is so wrong!

      May 17, 2012 at 6:08 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Trenton

    Reblogged this on Colorado Zen and commented:
    That is one determined penguin!

    May 17, 2012 at 4:38 pm | Report abuse |
  10. NEPTOON

    Run Mr. Penquin.....run!!

    May 17, 2012 at 4:41 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Alex

    good for him

    May 17, 2012 at 4:50 pm | Report abuse |
  12. ---

    haha...it even waves at you when you take pictures.

    May 17, 2012 at 5:00 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Saywhatyoumean

    Now he just has to find his dad !!!! (Nemo ref)

    May 17, 2012 at 5:04 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Alex

    Was is Kolwaski or private?

    May 17, 2012 at 5:21 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Felix El Gato

    Swim south.

    May 17, 2012 at 5:42 pm | Report abuse |
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