Get a bird’s eye view at Birdworld’s new Penguin Beach

27th May 2011

Penguin Beach, the brand new walk-through exhibit at Birdworld near Farnham opens at Half Term.

Inspired by Robben Island in South Africa, this new home to 30 African Penguins gives visitors an exceptional chance to see these delightful birds close up, from the quayside and boardwalks that run right through it.

It seems that everyone loves penguins but for visitors with a real passion for these cute birds, Birdworld offers the fantastic opportunity to help the keepers with feeding at the daily presentations.

Penguin Beach is both fun and educational. Visitors wil learn about the characteristics of this endangered species – each bird has a unique pattern of spots, just like human fingerprints that makes it fascinating to identify individuals within the colony – as well as the rich history of the World Heritage Site island and the conservation work being done to protect African Penguins.

Birdworld Curator, Duncan Bolton said: “Birdworld already supports research and active field conservation work, helping protect the future of the penguins and their environment. Just as the Birdworld colony of Humboldt penguins is now breeding very successfully, the breeding of the African Penguins will play a major role in the future, to help conserve captive populations of the species as numbers in the wild in South Africa sadly decline.”

Birdworld Manager, Mark Anderson said: “Anyone familiar with the popular tourist destination of Robben Island will recogise the setting immediately, such has been the close attention given to the exhibit’s design. The visitor is led through a boat-styled entrance onto a quay with views over the deep-water harbour and the beach beyond. From the harbourside the route leads out along the boardwalks to give unrivalled views of the penguins and some fantastic photographic opportunities set against a natural backdrop.” Managing Director, Roger Head added,” This is just the first of many new exhibits at Birdworld as part of our longer term plans.”

For more information about Penguin Beach and all of Birdworld’s other attractions visit www.birdworld.co.uk.