71-year-old retired bricklayer and part-time fisher man, Joao Pereira De Souza's life changed when he rescued a South American Magellanic Penguin on a Brazilian beach 5 years ago. Covered in oil and on the threshold of death, the bird was nursed back to health. Even though it fully recovered it was reluctant to leave Pereira (staying on for 11 months) and when it finally did, it returned the next year.

Named Dindim, the penguin stays on with him for days, displaying affection. “I love the penguin like it’s my own child and I believe the penguin loves me. When he sees him he wags his tail like a dog and honks with delight”, says Pereira.

Biologists believe that Dindim might see Pereira as another penguin, which might explain his affectionate and protective behavior.

South American Magellanic Penguins breed on the coasts of Argentina and Chile. They migrate as far north as Brazil, so Dindim's behaviour isn't completely abnormal. However, his ability to stop by where Pereira lives is both an insight into the emotions of this intelligent creature and heartwarming to everywhere who gets to know of this story.