Photos: Penguin Paints Pottery For Annual Penguin Run/Walk Awards

An African Penguin from the Mystic Aquarium is quite the artist. Blue, Blue, who will turn five in January, used his feet to paint tiles at Get Fired Up in Pawcatuck.

The tiles, about 65 in total, will be given out as awards during the 6th Annual Penguin Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 13. The walk benefits African penguin research and conservation efforts. In 2011, the event attracted hundreds of participants and . According to a press release from the Mystic Aquarium, the African penguin population has declined by more than 60 percent since 2001.

Trainers from the Mystic Aquarium painted Blue Blue’s feet with non-toxic paint and then he waddled across the blank pottery tiles Get Fired Up donated for the event.

“Painting is a form of enrichment for the penguins and they are trained to extend their feet to allow trainers to examine them as part of Mystic Aquarium’s animal care program,” a press release from the Mystic Aquarium said.

For more information on the 6th Annual Penguin Run/Walk visit the Mystic Aquarium online.