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Star treatment for latest arrivals making a splash at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

20 penguins including established pairs are the latest attraction at the park

[The new arrivals survey their new surroundings at Yorkshire Wildlife Park]

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The new arrivals survey their new surroundings at Yorkshire Wildlife Park(Image: Yorkshire Wildlife Park)

Theyre critically endangered in the wild. So its only right that theyre given star treatment at their new Yorkshire home.

A total of 20 African penguins have arrived at Yorkshire Wildlife Park as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. And they have been busy settling into their new home a 1.2m habitat that comes complete with a huge swimming pool.

African penguins are the only critically endangered penguin of the 18 global species, having been placed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List due to an alarming population collapse. There are now less than 10,000 breeding pairs in the wild along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia, which marks a loss of more than 95% since records began.

Now visitors to Yorkshire Wildlife Park can learn all about the quirky, sociable creatures, known for their distinctive tuxedo-like plumage, after they carried out a short penguin parade from their quarantine house into their new home. The colony is made up of ten males and ten females, with established pairs including Joe and Houdini, Max and Samantha, Sid and Natalie, Gwyn and Rachel, and Salty and Little Min.

Their new home has been inspired by South Africas famous Boulders Beach, with a pebble beach, large rocks, grassy areas and banks and nesting areas which have been created in the rockwork. And zoo staff have enjoyed seeing them settle in.

Director of Animals, Dr Charlotte MacDonald said: Its fantastic to see the penguins settling into their new home. Theyve settled in really well since arriving, and its fantastic to see them exploring their new surroundings.

[The African Penguins arrive at Yorkshire Wildlife Park]

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The African Penguins arrive at Yorkshire Wildlife Park(Image: Yorkshire Wildlife Park)

African penguins are fantastic birds with lots of character, and we know theyre going to be a real favourite with visitors. They are also known as Jackass penguins because of their loud braying call.

Sadly, this species of penguin was changed from endangered to critically endangered status earlier this year. Theyre facing huge challenges in the wild and conservation breeding programmes like this are incredibly important for the future of the species.

We hope their arrival will help more people understand the threats they face and inspire them to support the penguin conservation.

The habitat has been specially designed for the African penguins, with a 552 cubic metre pool holding 552,000 litres of water. Visitors can soon enjoy watching them whizz through the water at high speeds through 12 underwater glass viewing panels.

The habitat also has an advanced filtration system that continuously recycles the pool water, with only waste being discharged. Scientists predict that African penguins could become extinct in the wild by 2035 if current population declines continue. Their biggest threats include habitat loss, climate change, pollution, reduced fish stocks and predation.

The penguins have joined Yorkshire Wildlife Park as part of the European breeding programme, which works with zoos and parks across Europe to support long-term conservation. They are the only bird species at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park works closely with the WildLife Foundation to support conservation projects protecting wildlife both in the UK and overseas. Visitors can learn more about the penguins through ranger talks and educational displays at the new habitat, which is now open.

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