Pesto the chonky Australian penguin chick captivates Katy Perry and the internet
Pesto the huge king penguin chick has drawn hundreds of visitors to an Australian aquarium, and now the bird can count Katy Perry as one of his biggest fans.
SYDNEY, Australia — Pesto the huge king penguin chick has drawn hundreds of visitors to an Australian aquarium, and now the bird can count Katy Perry as one of his biggest fans.
The U.S. pop star, in Melbourne to perform at the Australian Football League Grand Final on Saturday, told Channel Seven she wanted to “kiss Pesto” during her trip.
Chocolate-brown and fluffy, Pesto is a 9-month-old king penguin that weighs 52 pounds, more than twice the combined weight of his parents.
He is also the largest chick Sea Life Melbourne has ever seen, and that has gained him a global fan base, said Michaela Smale, who has been caring for Pesto since he hatched.
Most of Pesto’s weight comes from the brown fuzz that keeps penguin chicks warm through winter. They later lose weight as they develop adult feathers.
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