Numerous stories of loyalty and heroism involve individuals who save others’ lives out of pure humanity, despite not knowing them beforehand. These acts of kindness often lead to lasting friendships, with those saved never forgetting the help they received. Among such stories is the remarkable bond between Dindim the penguin and João Pereira de Souza, which unfolded on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While it shares similarities with other tales of animal rescue, this one is unique because Dindim is not a person, but a penguin whose life was saved by a fisherman. Since then, a deep friendship has blossomed between them, and each year, Dindim travels 8,000 kilometers to visit João, solely to express gratitude and ensure his friend’s well-being.
The story began in 2011 when an Magellanic penguin, later named Dindim, was swept ashore by the ocean’s currents on “Praia Grande,” an island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. The penguin was starving and covered in oil. João Pereira de Souza, a retired builder who now works part-time as a fisherman, found the bird by chance. Moved by its condition, João decided to rescue it. He spent over a week cleaning Dindim’s feathers and feeding it fish until the penguin regained its strength. João then tried to release Dindim back to the sea for migration, but the penguin chose to stay with João for 11 months until it molted and then disappeared.
Despite Dindim’s disappearance, João and his companions thought the penguin would not return. However, a few years later, Dindim surprised them by making an annual visit. The penguin now comes to João’s home every June, stays for eight months, and leaves for its home in February. João Pereira de Souza describes Dindim as his “child” and believes that the penguin feels the same affection for him. Dindim regularly sits on João’s lap, allows only him to assist with bathing and feeding, and will peck at anyone who tries to do the same. João also admires Dindim for leaving his natural habitat to visit him, where he has a special area in João’s backyard, protected by a fence from dog attacks.
The extraordinary story of Dindim and João has attracted the attention of many biologists and media outlets. Researchers have tagged Dindim to confirm his identity and verify his annual visits. Professor João Paulo Krajewski notes that while such devotion is rare, it may be explained by the penguin’s strong bonds with its companions. Dindim might consider João part of his family, evident from his joyful tail-wagging and vocalizations upon seeing him. Professionals in wildlife management typically avoid forming such close relationships to ensure animals can return to their natural habitats, but this has not been the case here.
Despite Brazilian laws prohibiting the ownership of wild animals, the unique relationship between Dindim and João Pereira de Souza has been considered exceptional, and authorities have allowed them to live together peacefully. Professor David Zae explains that Dindim’s initial encounter with death was partially due to global climate changes caused by global warming. Extended periods of elevated sea temperatures can disrupt marine life, leading animals like Dindim astray from their natural habitats, resulting in their appearance in unfamiliar and potentially life-threatening areas.
