Romsey penguin in bid to become world champion

Frank is one of the 15 penguins that live at Paultons Park

A penguin stands a chance of being crowned world champion in a competition which has drawn hundreds of entries from around the world.

Frank is a 19-year-old Humboldt penguin that lives at Paultons Park near Romsey, Hampshire.

He has made it into the finals of an international competition called March of the Penguin Madness.

The public will vote in the final stages of the competition over the weekend.

Penguin keeper Kathryn Lyon said Frank is her favourite

The amusement park is home to 15 penguins, and crowds gather at showtime to watch them being fed.

But Frank does not always show off. Sometimes he prefers to stay indoors with his friend Storm.

Keeper Kathryn Lyon described Frank as "very kind" and "a lovely character".

"He's very young at heart so he's still very playful, chasing bubbles or chasing shadows," she said.

She added that although she considered each of the birds as "part of my family", Frank was her favourite.

Sometimes Frank prefers hanging out with his friend Storm to showing off for the crowds

Conservation

The Humboldt species is considered vulnerable and Ms Lyon cited overfishing and environmental factors as contributing to the issue.

The March of the Penguin Madness competition also serves as an education initiative.

Penguin contenders are nominated by employees at zoos, aquariums and museums.

The nominees serve as ambassadors to their wild counterparts encouraging the public to learn more about the 18 species of penguins on our planet.

The winner will be decided by a public vote on the Penguins International website.

Proceeds will go to penguin conservation worldwide.

Proceeds from March of the Penguin Madness competition will go to penguin conservation

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