Pompey the Penguin
Date of death
1917
Gender
Male
Place Of death
Biography
Pompey, a yellow crested penguin, was found in 1904 by Louis Vangioni of Akaroa, starving and washed up at the remote Fishermans Bay beach. After attempts to return him to the sea failed, he lived in a barrel in Vangioni's yard, and waddled along the street each day to go out to sea on his fishing trips. By this time, Akaroa was a tourist destination, and this tame and charming little penguin was a major attraction. Louis sent to England for specially made fine teasets stamped with Pompey's image and they sold like hot cakes. Pompey survived until 1917.
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