Mr. Greedy the Penguin (1991-2024)

Mr. Greedy, an African penguin, died at the Maryland Zoo in September 2024 at the age of 33. His lifelong partner, Mrs. Greedy, remains at the zoo. Both were born in 1991 and became partners in 1994.

Mr. Greedy was famous for fathering many penguins as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ African Penguin Species Survival Plan. At his death, he had 230 descendants across five generations. However, his name comes from his habit of stealing nesting materials and food from other penguins, often working with Mrs. Greedy.

None of his many relatives are likely to be released to the wild. Penguins in US zoos are bred to sustain the zoo’s penguin population, not build penguin populations in the wild. An NPR profile of Mr. Greedy notes that Olivia, a fifth-generation descendant, remains at the zoo today where she “helps educate Maryland Zoo visitors about the animals and the threats they face in the wild.” Though journalists have portrayed Mr. Greedy’s many children as a success, it distorts the sad truth that hundreds of penguins will never enjoy a life in the wild.

African penguins are critically endangered. An estimated 19,500 penguins remain in the wild, primarily in South Africa and Namibia. The biggest threats to African penguins are commercial fishing, human intrusion into their nests, climate change, and pollution. Their population has declined 75% over the last 20 years due to decreased food availability. Fishing and climate change have devastated the sardine and anchovy populations that African penguins rely on. Additionally, climate-caused severe weather events in South Africa cause penguins to abandon their eggs when seeking safety.

The only way to ensure a future with African penguins is to protect their habitats. World Animal Protection urges everyone who loves penguins to avoid zoos and enjoy them in the wild or at accredited sanctuaries.