Penguin Napoleon in love with pair of boots

A German penguin named Napoleon thinks a pair of black and white Wellington boot is its mate.

The aquatic creature, whose moniker is inspired by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte - who was associated with the Duke of Wellington at the historical fight of Waterloo - has fallen in love with his keeper's footwear and refuses to be apart from them.

Dennis Kuebler, zookeeper at the Sea Life Centre in Constance, said even putting the boots on doesn't stop Napoleon's amorous advances towards them.

He said: "When Bonaparte sees my wellington boots he gets very excited, and starts jumping around - he rubs his nose on the boots and cuddles up to them.

"He clearly sees the boots as a potential female mating partner. He rubs himself against them and gets very excited, showing off and trying to seduce the boot.

"Next year we were hoping to have penguin babies, we put the males and females together, but Bonaparte seem more interested in the rubber boot."