(PRWEB UK) 10 July 2013 -- One of Blackpool Zoo’s penguin chicks certainly likes to travel in style, it has been announced today.
Gandalf, who is a Magellanic penguin and just eight weeks old, hitches a daily lift to the pool in his very own top of the range wheelbarrow as part of his regime to learn how to be a penguin.
As birds imprint on who or whatever feeds them, keepers at Blackpool ensure they mix with their own kind to encourage natural behaviour.
The fluffy youngster is being hand-reared after it became clear that his first time parents were neglecting the egg.
A special daily commute isn’t the only five star aspect of Gandalf’s life. The little chick is also very particular about who feeds him too.
He prefers to receive his special fish milkshake from trainee keeper Jake Matthews, who lives onsite at Blackpool Zoo.
Speaking about his unique relationship with his newest feathered friend, Jake said: “Gandalf is such a little character and I am really enjoying helping him to flourish."
“As well as round the clock feeds, his care programme includes him mixing with his own kind."
“It became clear right at the beginning that walking him down to the Active Oceans Arena from the bird nursery would take far to long, so we came up with the unique mode of transport."
“He took to travelling in style straight away and we get lots of odd looks from visitors when they see us trundling across the zoo with a baby penguin each day."
“Gandalf is doing really well and we are looking forward to him moving to his permanent home in the Active Oceans Arena soon.”
Magellanic penguins have short, wedge shaped tails and long narrow wings that they use like paddles when they are swimming. They can reach speeds in excess of 15mph in the water.
Blackpool Zoo is the only zoo in the country that houses this species of penguin.
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Picture shows: Gandalf hitches a lift to the pool.
More information about Blackpool Zoo:
Blackpool Zoo celebrated its busiest year to date in 2012, which was also its 40th anniversary.
Blackpool Zoo is owned by Parques Reunidos, the second largest European leisure parks operator and a leading world-wide player. The zoo is home to over 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates set amidst thirty-two acres of mature woodland and lakes.
The zoo’s signature animals include elephants, giraffes, big cats, gorillas, orang-utans, sea lions, primates, zebras and kangaroos. It is open every day of the year, apart from Christmas Day, from 10am.
For further information please contact:
Paula Holden or Julie Hackett at ICG on 01772 679383 or email paula(at)icgonline(dot)co(dot)uk or julie(at)icgonline(dot)co(dot)uk.
Paula Holden, ICG PR, http://www.icgpr.co.uk, 07772268378, [email protected]
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