Competition launched to name new arrival at country house zoo

VISITORS to Sewerby Hall and Gardens are being invited to name its latest arrival, a Humboldt penguin.

The female chick hatched in April and made her first public appearance last month and now staff at the country house's zoo would like to give her a name.

Head zookeeper John Pickering said: "We have yet to choose a name for the chick so I have decided to run a competition asking visitors to suggest a name.

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"Humboldt penguins are classed as a vulnerable species, making our chick that much more important.

"What is remarkable is the age of the parents. At 20 years old, Dion and Rosie could be the oldest Humboldt penguins to hatch and successfully rear a chick in captivity.

"It goes to show that the habitat here at Sewerby is perfect for our penguins. This is our first chick in seven years and the third parent-reared chick we have had. I'm over the moon."

The South American sea birds normally breed in coastal Peru and Chile and are called Humboldt penguins after the cold water current they swim in.

Visitors to the Grade I listed country house, near Bridlington, can suggest names for the penguin until September 26, when the competition closes.

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