The Bedford Estates, LondonTwo female penguins join the colony
Love is in the air at Woburn Safari Park as two female Humboldt Penguins – four-year-old Rudy and one-year-old Pip - have joined the colony at the park, as part of a zoo breeding recommendation. And they have plenty of eligible bachelors to choose from!
These new arrivals are set for some exciting penguin-dates! Rudy and Pip arrived on Friday, 25th of September from Peak Wildlife Park.
The two confident newcomers have settled in quickly, diving right into feeding time from day one. They’ve integrated seamlessly with the rest of the colony - so much so, keepers say you’d never guess they were new!
While the pair tend to stick together, they’ve also been bonding well with the rest of the group. Rudy and Pip can often be seen hanging out with two long-time female residents, Salsa and Spud, who coincidentally, share a striking resemblance to the new arrivals.
The two females arrived following a breeding recommendation from the zoo species coordinator, making this move important for the conservation of the Humboldt penguin species. Woburn is home to a colony of 22 penguins, with plenty of single males. Keepers hope to see some 'love-struck' penguins in the future and hopefully welcome some chicks.
The Penguin Suitors
There are six charming single male penguins at Woburn, each with their own unique personality, and one of them could be the perfect match for the new ladies. Let's find out all about them...
Tank
Tank is a 4-year-old with a bit of a mischievous streak - he’s the ‘bad boy’ of the colony. Perhaps the girls will find his rebellious charm irresistible? Tank loves the attention and will often follow keepers around the enclosure.
Koopa
Next up is Koopa, also 4, who is sweet-natured and full of confidence. Keepers say his caring personality suggests he’d make an excellent father.
Wobble
Then there’s Wobble, another 4-year-old with a more introverted, laid-back nature, he sometimes likes to keep to himself in the colony. Gentle and calm, he could be an ideal suitor for one of the females.
...But it’s not all about the youngsters! Some older bachelors are also ready for love.
Roadrunner
Roadrunner, at 17, is the tallest of the colony, he is described to be very friendly and confident. And while he’s a bit greedy (always going for the biggest fish), his height might be an attractive feature for the ladies.
Leaf
Leaf, at 18 years old, already has some fatherly experience under his flippers. As a dedicated dad, he’d be a great partner for raising future chicks, providing strong paternal care. Leaf is also a very confident penguin and confident during feeding time - especially for herring.
Sprats
Finally, there’s Sprats, the eldest at 31 years old. Sprats is described to be very friendly and gentle so if the ladies are looking for a mature gentleman, Sprats could be the perfect match.
Curious about what a penguin 'date' looks like?
If a pair hits it off, keepers will notice some signs. Penguins interested in each other often spend lots of time together and engage in synchronised calls, which sound a bit like a donkey braying!
You might also spot them gently flapping their wings on each other’s bodies - a sign of affection. And when things get a bit more serious, they’ll begin building a nest together, collecting leaves and twigs to make their home cosy as mating season approaches.
The importance of breeding for conservation
Humboldt penguins are known to form lifelong monogamous pairs, although they may change partners if breeding is unsuccessful or if a mate dies. They typically lay two eggs, and once hatched, the chicks remain in the nest for five to ten weeks while they grow their insulating feathers.
Unlike some penguin species that prefer colder climates, Humboldt penguins thrive along the coasts of Chile and Peru. Sadly, their population in the wild is estimated at only 2,500 to 9,999 individuals, and it continues to decline each year. Major threats to their survival include overfishing, pollution, hunting for food, and guano harvesting.
As a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, Humboldt penguins are part of a vital conservation effort. Woburn Safari Park, accredited by the EEP (European Endangered Species Programme), plays a key role in supporting this species' survival by welcoming breeding recommendations, with hopes of hatching new chicks and helping to secure the future of these remarkable penguins.
Visit the new duo
Rudy and Pip are quite easy to spot as they are quite small in size compared to the rest of the colony, they are often found near to the visitor viewing windows. Another way to spot the newbies is by their markings, Rudy has an upside-down triangle at the top of her chest and Pip had bald spots at the top of her chest that look like buttons.
Head down to Humboldt Harbour on your next Safari trip to meet the newest duo and their eligible bachelors.
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