Penguins at a Cornwall wildlife park are enjoying a tasty new diet of fresh, locally caught fish. Among them is Spneb, a 38-year-old Humboldt penguin believed to be the oldest in the world, who recently celebrated her birthday with her favourite meal of Cornish sardines.
Paradise Park previously relied on imported fish to feed its colony. However, a casual conversation helped change that. Local fisherman Lambourn heard that the park wanted sardines for the birds but did not know how to source them locally. He stepped in to help arrange a local supply, noting that it was great to see local catch used in the local community.
David Woolcock, the curator at Paradise Park, expressed delight at the new arrangement. Because the sardines are caught just a short distance away from the park, they arrive fresh, and the penguins love the taste.
The move also offers environmental benefits. Gus Caslake, chair of the Cornish Sardine Management Association, highlighted that sourcing fish locally reduces long-distance transportation while demonstrating the high quality of Cornish sardines.
Visitors can now learn more about the birds' diet. A new educational board has been set up beside the penguin pool in partnership with local sardine fishermen.