On November 8th, a woman walking a penguin in a residential area in Harbin went viral and captured the attention of the internet, with many mainland Chinese netizens exclaiming, “Where did she get the penguin from? I want one too.” However, community staff stated that walking a penguin is considered illegal behavior.
On November 7th, in the Poly City Phase 5 of Daoli District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, a woman was seen strolling with a penguin in the residential area, attracting a crowd of onlookers taking photos. The related images spread across the internet and became a sensation.
In the footage, the middle-aged woman was wearing a down jacket, leisurely walking with a black and white penguin, resembling the size of a fully grown cat, around the community. The penguin moved slowly, drawing the attention of many residents who gathered to take pictures.
According to the community property staff interviewed by “Extreme News,” the woman was not a property owner in the community and had left before being approached. Due to “potential safety hazards,” the authorities and forestry department were informed for further action.
The community staff where the woman lives stated that she claimed ownership of the penguin but did not clarify her intention. According to the regulations of the Wildlife Protection Law, keeping a penguin as a pet is considered illegal.
Mainland animal conservation experts emphasized that penguins require a low-temperature environment ranging from -2 to 8 degrees Celsius, along with regular exposure to sunlight and a balanced diet; otherwise, it could severely impact their physical health. Harbin experiences strong heating in winter, with significant indoor temperature differences, making it unsuitable for penguins to live there long-term and could lead to stress reactions or even death.
Experts highlighted that pets ranging from snakes, lizards to penguins have become popular in recent years, but hidden risks accompany such trends. Penguins may carry viruses like avian influenza, posing a threat to public health if introduced into communities, violating their natural behaviors.
The news of the “Harbin woman walking a penguin” went viral on various mainland platforms on November 8th, sparking discussions among netizens about its cuteness and novelty:
“I want to know where she got the penguin from. It’s so cute, I want one too.”
“It’s so cute, I want one. Where can I buy it?”
“I’ve seen people walking dogs and cats, but never heard of walking a penguin, it’s really unique. How did she manage to bring a penguin home?”
“Taking a penguin for a walk is better than a dog, penguins don’t bite.”
“Just out of curiosity, how many pounds of fish does one need to feed a pet penguin every day? Is it kept in an aquarium normally?”
“I wonder, do baby penguins sleep in the refrigerator at night?”
“Penguins are rare animals, some species are facing extinction and should not be kept as pets. It’s impressive how one can acquire such a creature for a stroll, well done, lady.”
“Penguins have extremely specific requirements for their living environment, including temperature, humidity, water quality, living space, and specialized food.”
“This special stroll is like a mirror, reflecting the modern society’s pursuit of novelty to the extreme, and also revealing the delicate imbalance in human-animal relationships.”
“The scene of walking a penguin in a Harbin residential area is indeed unusual. Penguins, as CITES protected animals, are not allowed for personal ownership. This seemingly cute pet walk could involve illegal sources; we hope relevant authorities will investigate and trace the origins rigorously.”