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Spike the penguin crowned world's most popular penguin

Head keeper Alistair Keen handing Spike the penguin his trophyImage source, Cotswold House Photography
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The world's most popular penguin, Spike, has been crowned

Spike was voted the world's favourite penguin - and now he has been given his own crown.

Spike is a king penguin and a resident of Birdland in the Cotswolds. He beat other penguins from Australia, America and Canada for the crown in the global competition.

Penguins International charity held the 'March of the Penguins Madness' contest to draw attention to the difficulties penguins face around the world.

Spike, the UK's very own king penguin took home first place. He has now had his own coronation - where he was given a crown, a trophy and even a throne for the weekend. Well done Spike!

Who is Spike the penguin?

Sir David Attenborough met spike front leftImage source, Birdland
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Sir David Attenborough met Spike (front left) at Birdland

The UK-based king penguin hatched in 2007, but was abandoned by his parents, and so was raised by people working at the centre.

Spike has become something of a social media star. He has even appeared on TV alongside Sir David Attenborough in a programme called Natural Curiosities.

Spike the penguinImage source, Birdland
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Spike beat competition from across the world

His fame doesn't stop there, he also appears on Christmas and birthday cards, books and magazines.

For Spike to have made quite such a global impact is really incredible

Alistair Keen, Spike's keeper at Birdland

His keeper Alistair Keen is obviously a big fan. He says Spike has "a real personality" and that many staff at Birdland have a "fantastic bond with him". Way to go Spike.

Spike and his trophyImage source, Cotswold House Photography
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Spike took home the gold for world's favourite penguin