‘Miracle’ penguin found in Japan two weeks after escape from captivity | Japan

A fugitive penguin was found safe and sound in Japan two weeks ago after escaping into the sea and paddling for miles. Her caretaker called it a miracle.

Pen-chan, a female Cape penguin born and raised in captivity who has never swum in the open sea or fended for herself, fled an event in the central Aichi region on August 25.

Her guard, Ryosuke Imai, said a team immediately began combing the area, but a powerful typhoon that brought record rains to Japan hampered the search.

Because Pen-chan was unprepared for life in the wild, the team thought she wouldn’t get far or survive longer than a week.

But on September 8, Imai received word that the bird had been spotted happily floating in the water on a beach 45 kilometers away.

“I thought she would look exhausted, but she was swimming as usual,” Imai said after the animal was captured. “It was more than my surprise… It’s a miracle.”

He said six-year-old Pen-chan probably ate fish and crabs he caught himself.

“I think she got there by stopping at different places for a break, but it’s still incredible,” he said. “She’s lost a little bit of weight, but she’s doing great.”