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'Movie star' penguin hopes to be world's favourite

Maisie Lillywhite & Fiona Lamdin
BBC News, Gloucestershire
BBC A king penguin in his enclosure, standing on rocksBBC
Seth hatched at Birdland as an imported egg in 1985, Birdland says

A Hollywood star, who keepers say shared the screen with Danny DeVito and David Attenborough, is vying to become the world's most popular penguin at the grand age of 40.

Seth, who lives at Birdland Park and Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, has been shortlisted for the award as part of the March of the Penguin Madness competition.

He is thought to be the oldest king penguin in the world at 40 years of age.

Seth's competition to become the world's most popular penguin includes Brian from The Deep in Hull, and Ike from ABQ BioPark Zoo, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with voting due to happen in rounds.

'Hollywood swagger'

Organised by Penguins International, the competition involves 48 birds from around the world, nominated by zoos, aquariums, and museums.

Mr Cox says that at mealtimes Seth is fed a herring that has half a vitamin tablet in its mouth, and that the penguin is distinguished from the others due to his "celebrity strut".

"Fundamentally, he is 40 years old, so it's probably a bit of arthritis, hence the fact we're giving him his medication," he said.

"We like to call it his Hollywood swagger, especially as he's been in the Batman Returns movie."

Simon Cox, a middle aged man with grey hair and a beard, smiles at the camera as he stands in the penguin enclosure at Birdland Park and Gardens in Gloucestershire on a sunny day. He is wearing a blue striped shirt and navy fleece gilet.
Mr Cox says Seth is thought to be the world's oldest king penguin at 40 years old

Mr Cox said Seth was one of "six or eight penguins" flown to Hollywood in crates of ice to star in the 1992 film.

"They formed part of Danny DeVito's evil penguin army in the movie," he said.

"You can see Seth in part of the film swimming around on a rocket launcher on his back."

Mr Cox described Seth as a very caring creature, having helped one of his fellow Birdland penguins when she was struggling.

A group of five penguins in their enclosure, standing on a rocky floor
A total of 48 penguins from around the world have been entered into the competition

He explained: "We had an older penguin called Lily who went blind in one eye so she couldn't really see.

"When it was food time, he would call to her and get her to follow him as he was wandering down."

In 2023, another of Seth's fellow Birdland penguins, Spike, was crowned the world's favourite penguin.

The pair are among those at the Cotswolds park to have featured in David Attenborough's programme, Natural Curiosities.

Voting will continue each week until one penguin is declared the most popular.

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