King penguin gets military promotion at Edinburgh Zoo

The Edinburgh Zoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, gave one of its own a promotion.

The recipient was not a zookeeper, but a King penguin named Sir Nils Olav.

Reuters reported that King penguin Sir Nils Olav now has a new title of "Brigadier Sir Nils Olav."

The penguin was named a mascot of the Norwegian Guard after he was adopted by the zoo in 1972.

Nils has risen through the ranks since then. Prior to his latest promotion, he was knighted, a position the zoo website said is so high the king of Norway had to approve it.

"We are honored to host His Majesty the King of Norway's Guard as they bestow a prestigious new title upon our king penguin, Sir Nils Olav," Barbara Smith, Acting Chief Executive Officer for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, told the Edinburgh Zoo website. "It is a very proud moment and represents the close collaboration between our two countries, Scotland and Norway."

About the Author

Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Georgia had third-highest SNAP payment error rate in country in 2024

The state’s error rate during fiscal 2024 was exceeded by only Alaska and the District of Columbia

2h ago

Gwinnett drops charges against Spanish-language reporter in ICE custody

Misdemeanor charges against journalist Mario Guevara have now been dropped in both Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.

The Latest

Credit: Olivia Bowdoin

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

9m ago

Georgia had third-highest SNAP payment error rate in country in 2024

2h ago

AJC Peachtree Road Race updates: Keep the momentum going

Featured

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia disability rights advocates fear weakening of U.S. accessibility law

Advocates worry the Department of Energy’s move could be the start of a broader effort by other federal agencies to roll back civil rights rules.

From boycott to ballgame: Baseball’s political All-Star Game saga returns to Georgia

MLB pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Georgia over the state's voting law, Senate Bill 202. Now it’s back — and Republicans say the return proves they were right all along.

OPINION

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Preparations for the show pushed people out of their comfort zones — into new stores, new communities, a new style of dress, and in some cases, to visit new cities.