Frosty reception: Sea Life Centre penguins given EIGHT TONS of snow to cool off - but refuse to go near it

Humboldt birds give snow the cold shoulder despite 20C mini-heatwave

By Daily Mail Reporter

2nd August 2011

A group of adorable penguins left sweltering in the recent mini-heatwave received a staggering eight tons of snow to cool off - but have refused to touch it.
Staff at the Sea Life Centre in Scarborough took the precaution as temperatures began to soar towards 20C in North Yorkshire - with forecasters predicting more sun for the rest of the week.

They ordered masses of the soft stuff from an indoor ski centre 70 miles away, but their efforts have so far been in vain.

Cold shoulder: One of the Scarborough Sealife Centre penguins makes a tentative foray into the snow

What's this? Another Humboldt penguin dosn't look too impressed by its snowy surroundings

The snow arrived just as the sun began to beat down today - but the fussy Humboldt birds turned their beaks up at it.
Staff now face a race against time to convince the cute creatures to cool themselves off before it melts in a few days' time.
Sam I'Anson, marketing co-ordinator for the centre, said the animals were generally suspicious of any changes in their normal routine.

She said: 'They were a bit wary of the snow and none of them wanted to touch it. They have seen snow before because we had a lot last winter and also the winter before, but they are very suspicious of change and don't seem to like it at the moment.
'We sprinkled it around most of their enclosure but they all huddled together away from it. We are hopeful they will get used to it soon.
'They come from Chile but have spent almost all their lives here with us where it is obviously quite rare for the weather to be so hot, so they are not used to it. The snow will help cool them down.

Not impressed: The Humboldts are said to be gathering in groups away from the snow, with this penguin taking his chances in the white stuff

Frozen over: Staff at Scarborough Sealife Centre bought in the eight tons of snow in an attempt to cool the penguins off

'Everyone loves the penguins and they really are one of our most popular attractions.' Sam added that the cuddly creatures were still recovering after intruders broke into their enclosure in May, which may have made them unusually scared of the snow.
CCTV captured the yobs running around near the penguins. Although none of the birds were injured, they were left extremely stressed by the incident because they are very wary of any human contact. Police are still hunting the thugs.
The snow was transported in coolers across to the coast from SNO!zone indoor ski centre.

Emma Darvill, from the centre, said: 'It's not every day that we get a request like this to deliver snow to a sea life sanctuary but we were only too happy to help. We were able to transport it in specially cooled containers.
'The snow should last for at least a couple of days giving the penguins a place where they can really chill out.'

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