Wildlife Park welcomes new addition to penguin party
18 August 2009
By ADRIAN DARBYSHIRE
MEET the latest arrival at Wildlife Park.
This little Humboldt penguin chick hatched on June 15 this year – and visitors to the park now have the chance to see him.
Richard Halsall, animal manager, said: 'This is the first penguin chick we have had in many years at the park.
'Although we think the chick is now too big to fall victim to a seagull or heron, we're not out of the woods yet and we'll have to teach it to take sprats from us when the parents stop feeding it.
'It's always a great pleasure to see new young animals at the Wildlife Park and all the staff are thrilled at this latest success.'
The Humboldt penguins' exhibit is located in the Pampas area, one of seven geographical areas represented at the park.
Humboldt penguins rear their chicks in burrows and they don't begin to wander around outside until they are about six to eight weeks old.
Wildlife Park general manager Nick Pinder said: 'It is anticipated that as the chick gains in confidence it will spend more and more time outside its burrow, allowing the Wildlife Park's many visitors, residents and holiday-makers alike, to get excellent views.
'We'll start supplementary feeding soon, but outside the advertised hours for the public feeding of the penguins so that we do not upset them.'
The Wildlife Park, Ballaugh, is open daily from 10am to 6pm.
Source:
http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Wildlife-Park-welcomes-new-addition.5563914.jp
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