Animals
Penguin promoted to Major General in Scotland
King penguin Sir Nils Olav inspects an honor guard upon his promotion to his new rank. photo
© John Linton/PA Wire/dpa
More than 160 soldiers stood in rank and file while king penguin Sir Nils Olav waddled past them. His appearance at Edinburgh Zoo is part of a ceremony with a long tradition.
“His promotion this August for his good behavior and being a role model to the rest of Edinburgh Zoo’s penguins is a milestone in his career as the Guard’s mascot,” said First Sergeant Fredrik Gresseth of the Royal Norwegian Guard.
Years of tradition
The whimsical tradition dates back to 1972. At that time, a king penguin was adopted by the troupe in the Scottish capital’s zoo and named after the then Norwegian King Olav and Major Nils Egelien, who organized the campaign.
From then on, the Norwegian Royal Guard’s band regularly visited their mascot when they performed at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo music spectacle.
Fish and cards for Sir Nils Olav
Every year, Norwegian soldiers also send fish and Christmas cards to the animal. This tradition is an important part of the history of the troops, said Oberfeldwebel Gresseth.
Sir Nils Olav has had a steep rise, the penguin has been promoted several times and was knighted in 2008. Now the official title of the flightless bird is: Major-General Sir Nils Olav III, Baron of Bouvet Island and official mascot of His Majesty the King of Norway’s Guard.