Penguins Flock to Birdland

A group of six Humboldt penguins are settling in to their new home at Birdland.

The birds arrived from Chessington World of Adventures earlier this month and are settling in well in their new home at the newly-revamped Penguin Shore.

It’s hoped the newcomers will form part of Birdland’s captive breeding programme for the flightless birds.

“The new arrivals are enjoying exploring their new home here and making friends with our resident penguins,” said Head Keeper Alistair Keen.

“Over the coming weeks and months we’re looking forward to them properly getting to know each other and keeping our fingers crossed that it won’t be too long before we start seeing nests being made,” he added.

The Humboldt is a South American penguin, which can be found in and around coastal Peru and Chile.

The penguin gets its name from the cold water current it swims in, which was discovered by the explorer Alexander von Humboldt.

Humboldt penguins reach a maximum height of 70 cm and weigh up to six kg.

In the wild the penguins are under threat from climate change, overfishing and the acidification of the oceans.

They are now officially listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature which means they are at immediate or imminent risk of becoming endangered.

The Humboldts share their fishing village-themed enclosure with England’s only colony of king penguins. With its combination of woodland, riverside and gardens, Birdland features more than 500 birds, ranging from birds of prey and parrots to cassowaries and cranes in a mix of free-flying and aviary displays.