Penguins swim 8,000km to visit life-saving benefactors

The penguin is not afraid to cross the distance to visit the life-saving benefactor every year, showing beautiful friendship between people and animals.

Four years ago, Joao Pereira de Souza, a 71-year-old Brazilian resident, found the South American penguin Magellan covered with oil and nearly starving on an island beach off Rio de Janeiro, according to The Independent.

After being rescued by Pereira de Souza, this penguin regularly swims 5,000-8,000km annually from the coastal areas of Argentina and Chile to live for 8 months in the island house of the retired fisherman.

Close friendship between Pereira de Souza and Dindim penguin.(Photo: University of Rio de Janeiro).

"I love penguins like my own children and I believe the bird loves me like that," Pereira de Souza said. "It does not allow anyone to touch it. It is in my lap, let me shower, feed and carry it."

Pereira de Souza named the penguin Dindim . According to Pereira de Souza, Dindim became attached to him after he took him home, cleaned the oily hair and fed him fish for a week. Pereira de Souza released the bird to the sea when its health improved.

"The bird does not leave. It stays with me for 11 months. It just disappears after the molt. People say it will not come back, but it is still regular to visit me for the past 4 years. In June and leaving in February. Each year passes, it becomes more and more affectionate and happier to see me, " Pereira de Souza recalls.