A new and special outfit has made life a little cozier for an aging penguin named Bridget.
The 37-year-old Gentoo penguin, who is housed at the Kansas City Zoo, was struggling to bend down far enough to reach her uropygial gland, located at the base of her tail. The uropygial gland, according to a Facebook post by the zoo, secretes a preen oil used to “waterproof” a penguin’s feathers.
And “when feathers are unable to stay dry, especially on a petite penguin like Bridget, a loss of body heat can occur,” the zoo said.
Let’s check in with Bridget! You may recall our recent post featuring this 37-year-old gentoo penguin, who had a petite…
Posted by Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium on Friday, October 11, 2024
Bridget’s experience is perfectly normal, Sean Putney, executive director of the zoo, told USA TODAY on Friday. That’s because as penguins age, just like humans, they are unable to do some of the things they used to be able to do when they were younger and “more spry.”
“She can’t reach back to that that gland anymore, so she her feathers look a little bit rough and getting into the water means that her feathers aren’t supplying her with the waterproofing she needs to keep warm,” Putney said.