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Zoo News
Another Promotion for Nils? We’re Not Having Olav!
11 August 2008
Nils Olav, Edinburgh Zoo’s famous king penguin, will be visited by the Norwegian King’s Guard on Friday 15 August. The Guardsmen visit Nils every few years while they are in the city performing at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Over the years, they have promoted Nils through the ranks and he is currently ranked ‘Colonel-in Chief’. There will be a ceremony for Nils on Friday and there have been rumours of yet another promotion but it is not known what honour will be bestowed on this very special penguin.
Nils Olav became a honourary member of the Norwegian Royal Guard in 1972, after a young lieutenant called Nils Egelien first visited the penguins at Edinburgh Zoo. Since that time he has received various accolades for long service and good conduct including medals and a 4ft bronze statue. It is believed that his latest promotion had to be approved by the King of Norway, King Harald V, so expectations are high!
David Windmill, Chief Executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo, said:
“We have a long-standing history with the Norwegian King’s Guard and it is something we are extremely proud of. It’s an honour that they take the time to visit us and we are all looking forward to welcoming them on Friday. Edinburgh Zoo is famous for its king penguins and Nils Olav is definitely the most famous of them all.”
Darren McGarry, Animal Collection Manager at Edinburgh Zoo, added:
“Nils always recognises the Norwegian Guardsmen when they come to visit him. They came in recently and he immediately walked towards the gate, we had to tell him that the ceremony was happening at a later date! He loves the attention he receives at the ceremony and takes his time inspecting the troops. We’re all very excited about his new promotion and we’ve all been wondering what it could be.”
Norwegian King’s Guardsman, Captain Rune Wiik said:
“We are extremely proud of Nils Olav and pleased that an enduring part of the Royal Guard is resident in Scotland helping to further strengthen ties between our two countries.”
Notes to Editors:
- In 1972, the chosen king penguin was awarded the ‘rank’ of Lance Corporal and named Nils Olav (after Nils Egelien and Norway’s then King Olav). On subsequent visits to the Scottish capital Nils was promoted to Corporal in 1982, Sergeant (1987), regimental Sergeant Major (1993), Honourable Regimental Sergeant Major (2001) and Honorary Colonel-in-Chief in 2005.
- Edinburgh Zoo has a long association with penguins and the Norwegian family of Christian Salvesen – ever since they presented the Zoo with its first king penguin in 1914, following an expedition to the South Atlantic: the Zoo also has the biggest penguin pool in the world, opened in 1992.
- HM The King’s Guard of Norway is the finest unit in the Norwegian armed forces. Its tasks are to protect and serve the Royal Norwegian Family, to perform Guard and Parade duties, to train soldiers for the Norwegian Army and to assist the public in various fields. The Guardsmen are all undergoing compulsory military service for twelve months, and are on average some 19-20 years old.
Details of the event programme are as follows:
11am - Welcome Ceremony
Music – HM The King’s Guard Band plays Norwegian music
suitable for the occasion (sotto voce).
Welcome by Lieutenant Colonel Ingrid Margrethe Gjerde,
Commanding H.M. The King’s Guard Norway.
Nils Egelien, Vice President of the Norwegian Royal Guard Association, will say a few words, about the life of Nils Olav and read a message of greeting from HM King Harald V.
Speech by Major General Euan Loudon,
Chief Executive & Producer Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Arrival of Colonel in Chief Nils Olav
Fanfare by the H.M. King’s Guard’s Trumpet Corps.
Citation read by Major Alasdair Hutton,
Edinburgh Tattoo Narrator
Colonel in Chief Nils Olav arrives under escort with King’s Guard Colour Detachment
Promotion Ceremony for Colonel-in-Chief by
Major General W E B Loudon CBE
Fanfare by the H.M. King’s Guard’s Trumpet Corps.
Conclusion – Selection of Scottish tunes by Selected Pipe Bands from the Tattoo.
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