Categories: Offbeat

Guinness World Records: Highest-ranking penguin

Guinness World Records logo.Photo: Guinness World Records

The highest-ranking penguin is Sir Nils Olav III, a male king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), Major General of His Majesty the King’s Guard of Norway and Baron of Bouvet Island.

Sir Nils resides at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, UK, where he was bestowed the honour on 21 August 2023 – a promotion from his previous rank of Brigadier.

Major General Sir Nils Olav III was knighted by King Harald V of Norway in 2008 and is the mascot of Norway’s Hans Majestet Kongens Garde (King’s Guard) unit.

A penguin was first presented to Edinburgh Zoo by Norway in 1913, and in 1972, when the Norwegian King’s Guards paid a visit, a penguin was adopted and named Nils Olav in honour of King Olav V.

The chosen bird was made a Lance Corporal then later a Corporal (1982), Sergeant (1987), Regimental Sergeant Major (1993), Honourable Regimental Sergeant Major (2001), Colonel-in-Chief (2005) and Bridagier (2016). The current Sir Nils is third incumbent.

Highest-ranking penguin. Photo: Guinness World Records

Recent Guinness World Records:

Record – Largest playing card structure

Record – Fastest pram

Last week’s records:

Monday, 2 October – Click here

Tuesday, 3 October – Click here

Wednesday, 4 October – Click here

Thursday, 5 October – Click here

Friday, 6 October – Click here

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Shyleen Choruma

Shyleen is a Journalism graduate with a keen interest in contributing to the digital media landscape of South Africa. she is a Master of Communication and Media student. Shyleen kickstarted her career as a Public Relation Communicator, she has a passion for books and telling jokes.