Major General Sir Nils Olav III is now the world's most decorated penguin.
The king penguin (the second largest penguin species, smaller but somewhat similar in appearance to the emperor penguin) is found at Edinburgh Zoo and was promoted to the third highest rank in the Norwegian Armed Forces. Around 160 soldiers in uniform visited the Scottish zoo to pay their respects to the penguin.
In 1961, the Royal Norwegian Guard went to Edinburgh for an exercise. A lieutenant named Nils Egelien fell in love with the zoo's colony of penguins. He thought that his unit's march bore an uncanny resemblance to the way the bird walked.
The penguin was chosen as a "military mascot", i.e. an animal kept by a military army for ceremonial purposes and/or as an emblem of that army. It differs from military animals because it is not used directly in warfare as a weapon or for transport.
When he returned to Edinburgh in 1972, Egelien arranged for the regiment to adopt a penguin. This penguin was named Nils Olav in honor of Nils Egelien and King Olav V of Norway.
Nils Olav I died shortly after receiving the rank of sergeant in 1987 and was succeeded by Nils Olav II, who in 2005 received the rank of regimental colonel. The third penguin, Nils Olav III, "came into office" in 2008.
Arise, Sir Penguin ??
— Edinburgh Zoo (@EdinburghZoo) August 21, 2023
The highest-ranking penguin in the world, Sir Nils Olav III, has been promoted to Major General by the Norwegian King's Guard ?
Sir Nils now holds the third highest rank in the Norwegian Army!
Find out more about Sir Nils ? https://t.co/mQ4zGKqUbk pic.twitter.com/PVfw9KKz0H
Military officer Nils Egelien died on December 11, 2020, aged 87.
