Meet Pesto: the fat baby penguin and viral superstar

Introducing Pesto, the charming baby penguin who has taken the internet by storm! Pesto is not just any penguin; he is a fluffy, chocolate-brown chick that stands out among the sleek black and white penguins at a well-known aquarium in Australia. This adorable little bird has gained quite a reputation, affectionately referred to as a 'fatty' and an 'absolute unit' due to his impressive size. Pesto has become a viral sensation, attracting fans from all over the world, including pop star Katy Perry! His popularity has skyrocketed, reaching billions of people online and dominating social media platforms. Pesto has also been featured on numerous breakfast television shows in both the US and UK, drawing visitors from far and wide to Melbourne's Sea Life Aquarium. Born in January, Pesto weighed a mere 200 grams, but now, at nine months old, he has grown to an astonishing 22. 5 kilograms! This makes him the largest chick the aquarium has ever seen. While it is common for baby penguins to gain some weight after hatching, the aquarium staff were surprised by how much Pesto has grown. According to marine biologist Jacinta Early, it is a mix of nature and nurture that has contributed to Pesto's size. His biological father is quite tall, and his foster parents, Tango and Hudson, have taken excellent care of him. Pesto is hand-fed several times a day, and his impressive weight can be attributed to his 'very healthy appetite. ' He consumes up to 30 fish daily, which is quite a lot for a little penguin! However, Jacinta assures everyone that Pesto is healthy and mostly fluff. As he matures, he will naturally begin to lose some weight. 'If I poked him, my entire finger would completely disappear deep in his feathers,' she explains. As Pesto starts to fledge, he will shed much of his baby fluff and slim down to a more sleek appearance. Although he is already losing some of his baby feathers, there is so much more to Pesto than just his cuddly looks. He is a social butterfly, often chattering away in a cute little whistle tone and playfully annoying the adult penguins, much like a typical toddler would. 'He tends to be the first one to say hi to the keepers, and he even responds to his name,' Jacinta shares. The staff at the aquarium have their favorites, but it seems that Pesto has a special bond with all the keepers. Pesto is on a seafood diet, which means he sees food and eats it! The aquarium staff have been amazed by the overwhelming love and attention Pesto has received from the public. During this busy time of year, with school holidays in full swing, crowds have been flocking to the penguin exhibit just to catch a glimpse of this fluffy superstar. Millie Jacoby, a British woman who has lived in Melbourne for a year, is one of Pesto's biggest fans. She has visited him twice and proudly claims to have been a fan before he became an online sensation. 'We walked in, and there was just this big, fluffy penguin. and we just kind of fell in love. He deserves to be famous,' she says. Olivia Wilson, who manages Pesto's busy media schedule at the aquarium, humorously remarks that she is unsure whether Pesto or the Australian Football League grand final is the bigger attraction in Melbourne this weekend. The grand final is such a significant event that the entire state of Victoria gets a public holiday the day before to celebrate. 'You name a country, and he has had a mention in the media. there are very few places across the globe that haven't had a bit of Pesto love,' Olivia adds. By her estimates, Pesto has reached an audience of around 5 billion people and has seemingly dethroned other internet animal sensations. 'People are trading him as Bitcoin, which has been unbelievable,' she says. 'Move over Moo Deng, basically.