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Gingrich's love of animals goes unrequited by Saint Louis Zoo penguin

A Magellanic penguin.
(via Flickrvenomgfx)
A Magellanic penguin.

In the weird and wacky news category today, at least one penguin at the St. Louis Zoo appears to be a feisty opponent of Newt Gingrich - or at least one of his fingers.

The Republican presidential candidate is sporting a small bandage on his finger after getting nipped by a small penguin during his tour of the zoo on Friday. Gingrich was in St. Louis to speak during the National Rifle Association's annual meeting.

During his visit to the popular zoo in Forest Park, he was treated to a behind-the-scenes visit with two Magellanic penguins. One of them nipped Gingrich on the finger.

Zoo spokeswoman Susan Gallagher says a small bandage was all the medical care required.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch adds in their report [links inserted by Post-Dispatch]:

"the former House Speaker rarely misses an opportunity to indulge his passion for animals. On the campaign trail, he has visited zoos in San Diego, Des Moines and New Orleans.   He even wrote the forward to a book: "America's Best Zoos."