Penguin of the Year taken out by newcomer

Published: 30 October 2024

Maggie, Penguin Cove’s ‘newbie’, has taken out the competition to be crowned Penguin of the Year for 2024.

The 15 residents of the National Aquarium of New Zealand’s Penguin Cove vie for public votes in Penguin of the Year, which attracts attention from penguin fans all over the world. The fun competition is now in its seventh year.

Rebekah Cuthbert, Supervisor of Birds, says Maggie was a strong contender all the way through the competition from both online and onsite voting platforms.

“Maggie and Mo were head-to-head right the way through the voting period, but Maggie was a favourite from our onsite visitors at Penguin Cove, and that gave her the winning edge,” explains Rebekah.

Total votes were 3971 with 886 of those cast by visitors onsite at the National Aquarium.

Maggie received 497 votes and Mo 447. Draco came in third place with 382 votes.

“We’ve enjoyed reading all the comments from our voters. A lot of people relate to the penguins’ personalities, which we find quite amusing,” says Rebekah. “During Penguin of the Year we are able to spread more awareness about what people can do to help little penguins along the coast lines of New Zealand. This includes simple actions like keeping dogs on leads to minimise the risk to wildlife and picking up rubbish when they are visiting the beach.”

People across the world get involved with Penguin of the Year with votes coming in from United States of America and Australia, as well as Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Ireland, India, Poland, Portugal, Philippines, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

More about Maggie:  Maggie was abandoned when she was just a few days old. She was hand-raised by the team here at the National Aquarium and has settled in well to the Penguin Cove lifestyle. She loves swimming in the pool and is always chatting away to the other penguins around. At feeding time she loves the opportunity to hang out with the keepers and will head over to say hello even if she isn’t feeling particularly hungry.

Quotes from voters:

“So hard to choose, because these penguins are my friends after so many years! Love your work, and hope to visit again one day.” – Australia

“Thank you for all you do for the penguins. I look forward to this penguin of the year competition every year! I love the penguins’ profiles and the updates! Thank you again.” – United States of America.

“Mo is the one true King. These penguins are the best and touch so many lives around the world. Great job!” – United Kingdom.

“I love Pipi. She reminds me of me and my wife. 

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