這個新聞片段應該很多人看過，有勾起你養企鵝的慾望嗎？現在台灣除了貓、狗、鳥、鼠、昆蟲、爬蟲，甚至連貂和刺蝟都有人養，看到日本人養的企鵝，我想應該也有不少人心動了吧。
實際上，還真的有人想養企鵝！
幾個月前，我意外地看到有人想團購企鵝的消息，讓我大吃一驚！所以就立刻google一下，搜尋到這篇文章。這篇文章的作者來自芝加哥，經過原作同意後，我把內容翻成中文。如果你也動了凡心，麻煩仔細讀一下，希望能打消你的念頭。
這些年來一直有人詢問是不是能養企鵝當寵物，我們不是專家，但我們曾經諮詢多位專家的意見，他們都徹底否定這個想法。
首先，所有的企鵝都受到保護，因此唯一的合法管道就是透過動物園這樣有能力飼養的單位取得。
其次，你必須具備一個適合的飼養環境，要能提供新鮮的冷凍魚肉，以及適當的維他命補充，你還必須認識一位了解企鵝的獸醫，他必須熟悉企鵝的生理構造，以及企鵝所可能罹患的疾病。
第三，你必須每天餵食企鵝，因此很難有機會渡假，因為你不能就這樣把企鵝關到籠子裡去！
第四，你必須建造一個適合的圈養環境，要知道，不同的物種有不同的環境需求（像是氣溫和植被等等），舉例來說，沒有任何一種企鵝可以適應芝加哥這種多變的氣候。（台灣的氣候有比芝加哥適合企鵝嗎？）更何況，不管是哪一種企鵝都需要一個又大又深又乾淨的池子，鹹水尤佳。
※ 深要多深呢？以下節錄自英文維基百科中國王企鵝的介紹：
The king penguin feeds on small fish and squidduring dives that average 10-20 m during the summer months.
根據國王企鵝的獵食範圍，可以歸納出潛水的平均深度是10-20公尺。
第五，企鵝是群居動物，族群數量只要低於20就太少。所以你需要有非常高的收入。這裡的動物園估計，光是準備一隻企鵝的食物每年的花費大約為700美元。（以匯率30來算，約為台幣21000元，何況兩隻以上？）
最後，為什麼你非得要養一隻企鵝呢？他們在野外生活得更好，在動物園或水族館的生活品質也遠勝於你所能給予的環境。記住，幾乎所有的物種在某種程度上都是瀕危的。（因為全球暖化，企鵝的生存也受到威脅，新聞有報過。）
所以我們強烈勸阻任何試圖將企鵝當寵物的行為。
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Can I keep a penguin as a pet?
Over the years we have often been asked about the possibility of keeping penguins as pets. We are no experts, but we have talked to several. They all are completely against the idea.
First off, all species of penguin are protected so that you could only (legally) get a penguin from a Zoo that had bred it.
Secondly, you would need a constant and reliable supply of fresh frozen fish as well as appropriate vitamin supplements, you would also need to know a vet who was familiar with penguins and the many diseases they are prone to when kept in captivity.
Thirdly, you would need to be able to feed the birds every day so you couldn't take any more vacations! You can't just put a penguin into kennels!
Fourthly, you would need to build a suitable enclosure to keep the bird - remember different species have very different environmental requirements (temperature, vegetation etc.). For example, there are no species of penguin that could live outside year round in say Chicago with its wide temperature variations. Plus all species of penguins require access to a large, deep and clean pool of water - preferably salt water.
Fifthly, penguins tend to live in large colonies - anything less than 20 birds would not be sufficient. So you would need a very healthy income. Zoo's here reckon it costs around 400 pounds (700 US$) per year just to keep a penguin in fish!
Finally, why would you want to keep penguins for yourself anyway? They are much better left in the wild or in well looked after breeding colonies in Zoos and Aquaria. Remember that nearly all species are endangered to some extent or another.
We would strongly discourage anyone from trying to keep a penguin as a pet - except the cuddly toy variety!
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