Runaway penguin found 45km away from home after two weeks

A runaway penguin in Japan has been found two weeks after escaping from its home into the sea and travelling for miles. 

The penguin's keeper has called her return a "miracle".

Interestingly, Pen-chan, a Cape penguin, was born and raised indoors and had never swum in the open sea in her life or had fended for herself in the wild world, as per The Guardian. 

She made her escape during an event on August 25 in the central Aichi region and the search for her rescue began immediately by her keeper, Ryosuke Imai. 

Imai stated that the scouring was hindered by a powerful typhoon after which torrential rain swept Japan. 

The Guardian reports that the rescue team was confident that Pen-chan would not wander far from home or survive more than a week outside her usual setting. 

However, Imai on September 8, received information that the fugitive penguin had been seen contently enjoying the water at a beach 45km (30-miles) away from home. 

“I thought she would look exhausted, but she was swimming as usual,” Imai stated as quoted by The Guardian after the bird was taken back. "It was beyond my surprise […] It’s a miracle."

Pen-chan’s owner believes that the six-year-old bird must have been consuming fish or crabs she found or caught herself at the beach. 

"I think she got there by stopping at various places for a break, but it’s still unbelievable," he said. "She lost a little weight but she is doing great."