Pierre Sheds Wet Suit for Real Penguin Suit

Pierre hangs out with other penguins and Pam Schaller, a biologist at the California Academy of Sciences, Pierre's home. California Academy of Sciences

Pierre Sheds Wet Suit for Real Penguin Suit

All Things Considered,
April 25, 2008

Earlier this year, a penguin at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco was, arguably, the world's best-dressed penguin. In reality, he was probably the world's only dressed penguin — outfitted with a "wet suit" after he began to lose his feathers.

Bald patches started appearing on Pierre's tail and head in 2006.

The situation was dangerous, says Pam Schaller, a senior aquatic biologist at the California Academy of Sciences.



Pierre the penguin, who is now 25, struts his stuff in his neoprene "suit." California Academy of Sciences

Feathers keep penguins warm and enable them to identify each other.

"With the appearance of bald patches, [Pierre] was getting picked on by other birds, and he wasn't swimming very often because he was very cold," Schaller tells Robert Siegel.

After medical tests yielded inconclusive results, Pierre was fitted with a neoprene vest, which allowed him to move his wings and flippers.

After six weeks in his new clothes, Pierre's feathers began to re-grow, and he now has a new lease on life.

By penguin standards, Pierre is an elder statesman: In the wild, penguins live about 15 years; in captivity, they live to about 20. Pierre turned 25 in February.

"He is behaving as though he is, once again, the patriarch of the colony," Schaller says.

"Now he's standing tall and strong."