NINE Humboldt penguins have moved into a wildlife park in Bourton-on-the-Water.
Six - three males and three females - have arrived at Birdland Park & Gardens from Chessington World of Adventures, whilst a further three males have come from Weymouth Sea Life Centre.
The penguins, aged between one and 12, are now enjoying their new fishing village themed enclosure at Birdland which they share with England’s only colony of king penguins.
Keepers at the wildlife park hope that the newcomers will form part of the park’s breeding programme for the flightless birds.
The Humboldt is a South American penguin, which can be found in and around coastal Peru and Chile.
Their name comes from the cold water current that they swims in, which was discovered by the explorer Alexander von Humboldt.
Humboldt penguins reach a maximum height of 70 centimetres and weigh up to six kilograms.
In the wild they are under threat from climate change, overfishing and the acidification of the oceans.
They are now officially listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature which means they are at immediate or imminent risk of becoming endangered.
Head keeper Alistair Keen said: “The new arrivals are enjoying exploring their new home here and making friends with our resident penguins.
“Over the coming weeks and months we’re looking forward to them properly getting to know each other and keeping our fingers crossed that it won’t be too long before we start seeing nests being made."
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