A penguin as an army major general. Those who think they may have misread the headline read it correctly: a penguin has been given the rank of major general in a country's army, and many penguins have held high ranks in that army before.

Surprising as it sounds, it is true. Sir Nils Olav III, a resident of Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, has become a major general in the Norwegian King's Guard, which the report describes as the army's third-highest rank. Edinburgh Zoo recently posted photos of the ceremony, in which 160 uniformed soldiers of the Norwegian Guard took part.

Sir Nils was presented with his new badge of honour at a special ceremony at the wildlife conservation charity's Penguin Rock. The regal black, white and yellow bird was the mascot of the Norwegian Guard until 1972, the report says.

The king penguin at Edinburgh Zoo was named after two people: Major Nils Egelien, who arranged for him to be adopted at Edinburgh Zoo in 1972, and Norway's then king, Olav. Edinburgh Zoo said in a blog that guardsmen visit Sir Nils at the zoo every few years when they perform at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Since his adoption in 1972 he has worked his way up the ranks from mascot, becoming corporal in 1982, sergeant in 1987, regimental sergeant major in 1993 and honourable regimental sergeant major in 2001, before rising to colonel-in-chief. The report lists 2005 and 2008 and a knighthood, followed by brigadier in 2016 and major general in 2023.

The practice of keeping animals as army mascots began in the 18th century, started by the British Army. Special forces in various countries have dog squads, as well as horses, and trained rats are also being used. Among the best-known mascots are Australia's pony Septimus, Canada's polar bear Juno and New Zealand's tortoise Gallipoli.

A penguin holds a rank in the Royal Norwegian Guard, a special unit of Norway's army, and has been trained in various things for many years. The ice-loving bird is held in high regard in the Norwegian army.

Citing India Today.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.