London Penguins

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

map

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

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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

london penguin 3

Penguin Point uses technology

To maintain a consistent and appropriate temperature

And lighting that stimulates the penguins’ annual moulting, nesting and breeding patterns

gentoo 2

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

gentoo 1

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

london penguin 1

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

london penguin 2

We were invited to Breakfast with the Penguins in return for a review of our visit

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