PLETTENBERG BAY - African penguin Backman met female Happy Feet at Tenikwa Wildlife Centre in the Crags, Plett - and the bonding, call it friendship, changed his life.

Backman’s back was apparently sliced open by boat propeller and he was frail and fearful when he was taken in.

Then Backman probably became the world’s first aquaphobic penguin as he was nervous of entering the water and of fishing after his accident.

Eventually he has overcome his fear of water as the memory of the boat collision receded, said Keri McMorran of Tenikwa.

This has happened with the coaxing and help of his friend Happy Feet.

Backman’s return to the ocean (along with Happy Feet) is expected soon and the news comes as penguins all over the world were celebrated on World Penguin Day,  25 April.

Read more in the Knysna-Plett Herald.

A protective flipper… Happy Feet (left) and Backman.

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