A penguin at SeaWorld San Diego has surpassed the typical life expectancy of its kind. It turned 40 last week.

"This remarkable achievement not only marks Best Friend’s 40th birthday but also highlights the broader success of penguin conservation and care at SeaWorld San Diego, emphasizing the critical role that accredited zoological institutions play in protecting and preserving vulnerable species for future generations,

He’s one of the most famous black and white animals in San Diego and he just celebrated a very rare milestone.

Best Friend, affectionately called the "most precious old man" at SeaWorld, surpassed the average lifespan of a macaroni penguin in the wild, which typically ranges from 15 to 20 years. At 40, Best Friend suffers from failing eyesight, but his keepers say his hearing remains sharp, and he can recognise their voices.