The Lone Penguin

In a small amusement park just outside of the city of Osaka, in a blue brick building tucked near the exit, I found a single solitary penguin. His enclosure was small but clean, concrete covered in fake plastic grass, decorated with two pieces of driftwood. He looked at me, tilting his head, opening and closing his beak but not making a sound. He seemed healthy, bright eyed, active, but lonely. I spoke to him for a while. A staff member approached me, speaking Japanese, gesturing. I understood. For 200 yen I could feed him a snack. I was given a plastic cup of slender fish and a pair of metal tongs. The penguin knew just what to do. He dove into the water and swam up to the wall, eagerly snatching up fish that I offered. “That’s it,” I said sadly once the cup was empty. He bobbed in the water, staring at me expectantly. He was in luck, for another family then approached with cups of fish. I left him to his meal.

I’ve always been a supporter of zoos and aquariums. In America, the biggest, best ones are all accredited and renowned for their work to help wildlife. I understand the arguments for and against animals in captivity, and could always say that my zoo was an example of zoos done right.

Here in Japan I find myself questioning things, wanting to believe the best but unable to ignore subpar environments. In Japan, land of the unusual, the adorable, of cat cafes and monkey spas, they even have penguin bars. I went to one, a small, dimly lit establishment with a trio of penguins behind thick glass, and it was so exciting, such a novelty, but you have to ask, do they belong here? And there are so many questions I would ask— do they ever get sunlight?— but I don’t speak Japanese more than to say “The penguins are cute, aren’t they?”

I would really like this website to be a resource for penguin lovers. A site where people like me can find out about places and events that feature penguins. But then I wonder about my moral obligation. Should I share with others those places that I find questionable? Should I leave it to other people to make their own decisions whether or not to visit?

There is a lone penguin at the petting zoo at Hirakata Park in Japan. He seems healthy, if sad. I do not regret meeting him.