Wetsuit Waddle

Pierre, a 25-year-old balding African penguin, stands on a countertop at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, April 10, 2008. Biologists created a custom-made wetsuit for Pierre when a lack of waterproof feathers prevented him from swimming with his fellow penguins.

Aquatic biologist Pam Schaller displays a wardrobe of wetsuits for Pierre the Penguin at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, on April 17, 2008. She conducted numerous fittings to design the suit, which fastens with Velcro at the back, covers Pierre's torso and has small openings for his flippers. One concern was that the other penguins would reject Pierre in his new gear, but they accepted his sleek new look.

Pierre wears his wetsuit as he walks with help from aquatic biologist Pam Schaller at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Thursday, April 17, 2008. Schaller first tried a heat lamp to keep the balding Pierre warm, then she got the idea for a wetsuit from humans who wear them when frolicing in the chilly Pacific.

Pierre the Penguin, 25, began wearing a wetsuit six weeks ago and has begun growing back his feathers. Unlike marine mammals, which have a layer of blubber to keep them warm, penguins rely on their waterproof feathers. Without them, the balding penguin avoided the water and ended up shivering on the sidelines while his peers played in their aquatic tank.

Pierre the Penguin, 25, has his wetsuit removed by aquatic biologist Pam Schaller at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Thursday, April 17, 2008. Pierre was outfitted with the suit about six weeks ago. Since then, he's gained weight, grown back feathers on his hind parts and is again acting like his feisty, alpha-male self.

Pierre the Penguin, 25, climbs quickly out of the water while wearing his wetsuit at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Thursday, April 17, 2008. With his plumage restored, Pierre is being weaned off the suit, taking more and more dips in the buff.

Pierre the Penguin, 25, wears his wetsuit as he is put back into his home at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Thursday, April 17, 2008. Biologists say there are no plans to make him a matching surf board.