Adorable kōrora Dora has finally attracted the appropriate aura, with the once-abandoned chick named the fifth Penguin of the Year in an online vote stretching from the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier as far as the UK, Europe, China and north and south America.
According to aquarium supervisor of birds, Rebekah Cuthbert, thousands of fans responded, with more than 25 per cent supporting Dora, a perennial favourite but until now not quite good enough for the penguin win, and the valued prize of extra fish.
Many schools got involved, both local and international, incorporating Penguin of the Year into their lessons, as did businesses and organisations using it as a team-building exercise, sparking "thousands" of comments as the aquarium prompts global understanding of care need for protection of penguins and other wildlife.
Dora came to the aquarium at only 5 days old as an abandoned chick, and is "famous" for her prima-donna behaviour at aquarium sanctuary Penguin Cove, Cuthbert says.
Following in the paddle steps of former acclaimed Timmy, Draco, Captain and Mo, she is "well-loved as one of the first penguins to greet visitors as they come to Penguin Cove", Cuthbert says.
