Fond Farewell to one of Europe’s oldest female King Penguins

Birdland Park & Gardens has said a fond farewell to one of its oldest residents, Lily the King Penguin, after she passed away last week.

Lily hatched in 1992 and became one of best breeding king penguins the park has reared. She continued to lay eggs until two years ago, when her health first began to deteriorate.

Simon Cox, general manager of the Bourton-on-the-Water attraction, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Lily here at Birdland. She was one of Europe’s oldest female King Penguins.

“Over the past two years she began to slow down with a mild form of arthritis and had begun to form cataracts in both eyes, however she was always responsive to light and movement and was able to get around Penguin Shore and Pool with ease.

Lily raised a total of eight chicks.. She was a very petite penguin and was recognisable for testing her food by nibbling it first, before swallowing her lunch.

Simon added: “We’d like to thank Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital for all their support with health checks and medication for Lily, and the keepers at Birdland for all their love and care.”