JAPAN: Penguins out for a Sunday stroll in Tokyo aquarium

African penguins caught a breath of fresh air as they were out for a stroll through Tokyo's aquarium. Ikebukuro Sunshine Aquarium offer spectators a chance to get a closer encounter with Penguins as they are taken for a walk through the aquariums compound. The new scheme started on Sunday and children were fascinated by the small animals. "I like the way they move their necks and faces. They are so cute," said 6-year-old Asumi Fujimoto who visited the zoo with her father. During the parade that lasted for an hour, the penguins were separated from spectators, mainly children, by portable fences on wheels which were pushed by the zookeepers. The fence ensures they don't run away and also prevents them from biting spectators. The parade will takes place every afternoon through to November 30. "I came up with this idea to let people get a close look at penguins walking." said Keeper Masahiro Tomiyama, adding only penguins born and raised at the aquarium can walk outside their cage without feeling stressed by all the attention. African penguins mainly inhabit the Cape region of the Southern part of Africa and are considered vulnerable species. They are one of the species which is included in the agreement on the conservation of African-Eurasian and Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

ITN Source | October 6, 2006