Penguins Enjoy a Freshly Filled Pool Thanks to Community Collaboration

Birdland’s Penguins are making a splash this week thanks to a collaborative effort between Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Thames Water, who joined forces to refill the pool at Penguin Shore, home to England’s only group of King Penguins.

The recent dry weather has meant filling the Penguin Pool from the usual water source has been a challenge and with the pool being a vital part of the Penguins wellbeing it was important to find a solution, particularly during the recent heatwaves.

Nathaniel Hooton, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We’re always proud to support our local communities in any way we can. When Birdland reached out, we were happy to help ensure the penguins have a safe and comfortable environment, especially during these challenging weather conditions.”

From Thames Water’s side, the support comes in response to extreme weather patterns that have affected water supplies across the region. A Thames Water spokesperson said: “We’ve recently seen the fourth heatwave of the year and conditions have been incredibly dry over the spring and summer months. We’re really pleased to be able to help Birdland’s penguin community by refilling their pool after the effects of prolonged dry weather and thank both Birdland and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service for their collaboration.”

The freshly replenished waters at Penguin Shore are already proving popular, with many of the Penguins diving straight in to enjoy their updated surroundings.

Simon Cox, General Manager for Birdland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to both Thames Water and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service for stepping in to support us. Their help is invaluable, and we want to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved. The whole Birdland team and most importantly our new Penguin chicks will be delighted to have a freshly filled pool.”

Visitors can see the results of the recent project and spot the new Penguin chicks at Birdland daily from 10am.