Did you know that there are penguins native to the UK?
Gentoo Penguins live on many of the islands around Antarctica
The largest population lives on The Falklands
Islands belonging to the United Kingdom
William spent a long time studying a map
At the London Aquarium
Two weeks ago
When we were invited to have breakfast
With the London Penguins
On the map it showed which islands
Had the largest populations of Gentoos
And William worked out that
British Islands
Including The Falklands
Have the most
We met ten Gentoo penguins
Who reside much closer to home
The ten penguins living together
At Penguin Point
Newly opened at the Sealife London Aquarium
Penguin Point is a cleverly designed habitat for the Gentoos
That allows penguin sized people
Like my little people
Get up close and personal
With these cute, charismatic waddlers
Penguin Point uses technology
To maintain a consistent and appropriate temperature
And lighting that stimulates the penguins’ annual moulting, nesting and breeding patterns
During the breakfast we were able to listen
To a talk about the Gentoo penguins
We learned about how they use their black and white colouring
As camouflage in water, ice and snow
We watched them being fed
And learned that feeding time is not only about filling bellies
But also allows keepers the chance to keep an eye on every bird;
Plumage, cleanliness, movement, levels of activity and appetite
Are some of the indicators that they look for to check for signs of sickness or distress
After breakfast
We spent ages watching the penguins swimming
Diving in and jumping out of their pool
They are so funny
So awkward on land
And so elegant in water
And fast!
Gentoo Penguins are the fastest underwater swimming bird
They can swim up to 22 miles an hour
We had a lovely morning
Learning about the penguins
In London
Esther adores all animals
And William has a huge appetite for facts
I hope to return to the aquarium with them soon
At a quieter time
Without Bea
To slowly meander through the aquarium
And feast with our penguin friends again
If you are in London this summer
To play peekaboo with the Gentoos
The London Penguins have landed
And are waiting to play with you
We were invited to Breakfast with the Penguins in return for a review of our visit