Image: facebook.com/EdinburghZoo
More than 160 uniformed soldiers stood at attention at Edinburgh Zoo as Sir Nils Olav III. the insignia of a major general was pinned to the wing. “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 Sergeant-Major Fredrik Gresseth of the Royal Norwegian Guard in a statement on Monday.
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. 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 flightless bird’s official title is: Major-General Sir Nils Olav III, Baron of Bouvet Island and official mascot of His Majesty the King of Norway’s Guard.
Source: Nachrichten
