London penguins keep cool in heatwave with frozen treats
It is not only humans and domestic pets which are in need of cooling measures to cope with the extreme heat – with penguins at the South Bank aquarium getting special treatment.
As scorching temperatures climb this week to a projected 40C, Sea Life London Aquarium’s colony of Gentoo penguins have been pecking away on ice treats with a difference.
Aquarists at the famous South Bank attraction – that’s aquarium staff to those unfamiliar with the term – have replaced sandcastle buckets with ice, filled with the Gentoo’s favourite fish sprats, to help the inhabitants of Penguin Point keep cool as the colony comes to the end of its yearly mating season.
Catherine Pritchard, the general manager at Sea Life London Aquarium, said: “Our creatures are fully embracing some unusual ice treats as the rest of us swelter.
“Ice cakes made of fish might not be everyone’s idea of the perfect cool-down delicacy, but our penguins are thoroughly enjoying the treats and are fully chilled out ready to welcome families when schools break up for summer.
“And with temperatures skyrocketing, Penguin Point is also a perfect spot for our guests to cool down.”
The aquarium is open seven days a week. For further details on the latest opening times, feeding times, prices and more, please visit www.visitsealife.com/london
Pictured top: Icy treats being doled out by one of the aquarists, Rowena Kennedy (Picture: SEA LIFE London Aquarium)
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