A blind penguin who captured the hearts of the world last year with the story of her “guide-bird” best friend is now in the running to be crowned Penguin of the Year.

Squid, a four-year-old African Humboldt penguin from Birdworld, is a finalist in the March of the Penguin Madness (MOTPM) 2025 competition, where penguins from around the world compete to be crowned the ultimate champion.

Run by Penguins International – a non-profit organisation dedicated to penguin conservation – the tournament sees nominated penguins go through ten rounds, with the public voting in each matchup until a single champion is crowned.

Squid first found international fame in February last year when Birdworld keepers revealed her special relationship with a fellow penguin simply called ‘Penguin’.

After developing cataracts – a debilitating condition that clouds the lens of the eye and impairs vision – from an early age, Squid faced challenges navigating her environment.

However, keepers soon discovered that Penguin had swiftly bonded with her. From their early days as adolescent chicks, the close-knit duo amazed keepers with their remarkable relationship.

During busy feeding times, Squid, often disoriented, relied on Penguin's unwavering calmness. By instinctively standing close to the keepers, Penguin inadvertently became Squid's guide, leading her around the enclosure and acting as her “eyes.”

“When Squid hatched, she displayed the typical lively and vocal traits of a penguin chick, despite developing cataracts at just six weeks old – a unique occurrence within her otherwise healthy family,” said Polly Bramham, living collections manager at Birdworld.

Having been nurtured within the colony, Squid honed her survival skills alongside her peers. As she ventured from the nest, Penguin was also finding his strength on the beach, learning the essence of being a penguin.

Their simultaneous journeys of discovery led to an extraordinary friendship – Squid’s boldness perfectly complemented by Penguin’s patience – making them an inseparable and inspiring duo.

Polly said: “Squid continues to do extremely well in the colony. Her friendship with Penguin is as strong as ever, and they are frequently found together at feed times.

“However, the likelihood of them becoming partners has been quashed as Squid has chosen a penguin called Kraken as her mate.

“It is still early days, but this past breeding season Squid and Kraken have occupied a nest ark together, diligently supplying nesting material. No eggs have been laid, but they are both young birds, so this is not unusual.”

Last year, Squid also faced further hardship and had to undergo surgery. Her right eye developed complications aside from the cataract, necessitating its removal.

“Squid was an excellent patient, as expected, striving to maintain her independence throughout the recovery phase, and was back in with the colony in no time at all,” said Polly.

“Her relationship with Kraken was in its early stages at that point, and we wondered if Squid’s absence for a couple of weeks would be a deal-breaker. Not so at all – the two paired again immediately, as well as her friendship with Penguin.”

Voting is now open, so to vote for Squid, please visit https://www.penguinsinternational.org/motpm-2025/