Video and photo gallery: Humboldt Penguin pals flock together in Great Yarmouth

The largest gathering of Humboldt penguins at a Sealife Centre attraction. Twenty six penguins sharing the pool at Great Yarmouth. Picture: James Bass
 

Lucy Clapham
Friday, November 14, 2014

A group of feathered friends are causing a splash in Great Yarmouth after being moved to the east coast for winter. ALL IMAGES: JAMES BASS

 

The largest gathering of Humboldt penguins at a Sealife Centre attraction. Twenty six penguins sharing the pool at Great Yarmouth. Picture: James Bass

The gaggle of 18 Humbolt penguins have joined the existing colony of eight at the town’s Sea Life Centre - more than tripling the attraction’s penguin population. Twelve of the super sleek visitors have come from a sister centre in Scarborough while the remaining eight are international travellers, having been brought from Belgium to the Golden Mile. They will make their home on the seafront until March when all 18 will be moved back to the newly refurbished penguin base at Scarborough.

The new arrivals were welcomed into the Yarmouth pool this week and Sealife staff say the expanded colony is getting on swimmingly. Christine Pitcher, display supervisor, said: “They’re getting on really, really well. They’re a little bit nervous of each other because some are a bit more voracious, ours come straight over at feeding time. “They’re very sociable and like to play with each other and since we have had them all together they’re more active, and they like the safety in numbers.”

And with the new influx of Humbolts, staff are hoping romance could be in the air for some of the unattached super swimmers. “There’s every chance. The six that came from Belgium are all youngsters and haven’t paired up yet,” Miss Pitcher added. “We have got a couple of single boys in our colony and so has Scarborough. There’s more boys than girls so the girls can have their pick.”

The pool was full of activity today (Friday) as the penguin pals enjoyed their first full day together, swimming, diving, and hopping around their enclosure. And with the added attraction of 26 Humbolts, centre staff are hoping to welcome flocks of visitors over the winter.

Wet and windy weather will not put them off from frolicking in the water, Miss Pitcher said, but the feathered flock are not keen on snow. “They go in their nest boxes and we have to deliver their food like meals on wheels,” she added.

The additional 18 are not the first underwater visitors staff have welcomed to Yarmouth this year, after the centre hosted six Humbolts and giant green sea turtle Ernie from flood-ravaged Hunstanton, following last December’s tidal surge.

And Hunstanton is now returning the favour by hosting fellow half-shell hero Noah while Yarmouth’s ocean tank is refurbished. It will reopen in February with interactive displays and some new fishy friends.

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