Penguin's incredible survival: 2 weeks at sea against all odds

Pen-chan, a six-year-old female African penguin, escaped during an event held on August 25. Considering Pen-chan's lack of preparation for life in the wild and the harsh weather conditions, her caretaker believed the bird would not survive for more than a week. The penguin's owner emphasized that a miracle had occurred.

A penguin in Japan was found safe and sound two weeks after escaping to the sea and swimming many miles, which her caretaker described as a "miracle."

Pen-chan, a female African penguin born and raised in captivity who had never swum in the open sea or fended for herself before, escaped on August 25 from an event in the central Aichi region of Japan.

Penguin owner Ryosuke Imai said his team immediately started searching the area, but a massive typhoon that brought record rainfall across Japan significantly hindered their efforts.

As reported by straitstimes.com, considering Pen-chan's lack of preparation for life in the wild and the harsh weather conditions, her caretaker believed the bird would not survive for more than a week.

On September 8, Imai received information that an unknown penguin had been seen happily bobbing in the water on a beach 28 miles away.

The penguin's caretaker was surprised by the animal's discovery. According to him, it was a "miracle."

I thought she would look exhausted, but she was swimming as usual. It was beyond my surprise… It’s a miracle - said the man, adding that the penguin had never swum in the open sea before, so the survival is miraculous.

The owner admitted that six-year-old Pen-chan likely ate fish and crabs she caught herself.

I think she got there by stopping at various places for a break, but it’s still unbelievable. She lost her weight slightly, but she’s doing great, - he added.