We participate in programs at Ft. Nisqually in Pt. Defiance Park. Besides hosting wild living history the park also has a zoo. In 2002, on our drive north, we heard a radio news story from a Seattle station reporting that a magellanic penguin chick had escaped its confinement at Pt. Defiance Zoo. The news reporter made very clear that the rogue bird was dangerous and should be approached with caution. In case we wondered, it was the penguin with the orange wing tags. We had a good laugh about meeting penguins during our event and thought nothing more of the story.
On our arrival at the fort we were briefed by staff about the breakout and the resulting Zoo APB. We were all cautioned to be on the lookout for penguins sporting orange wing tags. If the bird was seen, it was not to be approached as it was armed with a razor sharp bill and exceedingly dangerous. We were further admonished, that any sightings must be promptly reported to park authorities. Amidst the laughter, it was further clarified that only penguins with orange wing tags were involved in the bird-hunt. All other penguins seen sporting about the sound were assumed to be normal wild birds that presumably could be approached with impunity.
The Zoo had even set up a special hotline to be staffed 24/7 until the chick had been corralled. So it was with some amusement that I watched this 2008 BBC story on flying penguins:
There is no mention that they sport orange wing tags so presumably they may be approached safely. Be careful out there.