Dublin Zoo reveal birth of new chicks & tell all about ‘house-proud' birds on World Penguin Day
DUBLIN Zoo is celebrating World Penguin Day today.
Here, Team Leader at
Advertisement
3
Eddie O'Brien looks after the penguins at Dublin Zoo
Credit: Barry Mulvey - The Sun Dublin
3
The penguins are very popular with visitors
Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin
EVERY year on 25 April, World Penguin Day offers a special opportunity to celebrate one of nature's most resilient and captivating birds.
While often associated with the icy expanses of Antarctica, penguins are a diverse group that inhabit a wide range of environments, from frozen tundras to temperate coastlines.
At
Native to the rugged, nutrient-rich coastal regions of Peru and Chile, these birds are built for survival in surprisingly warm climates.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN NEWS
Yet despite their adaptability, Humboldt penguins face increasing threats in the wild.
Of the world's 17 penguin species, many are experiencing population declines.
The Humboldt penguins are no exception. Classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, their wild population is estimated at just 23,800 individuals.
Their habitats are under pressure from industrial fishing, pollution, climate change, and coastal development, all of which disrupt the delicate balance of their ecosystem.
Advertisement
Most read in Irish News
Exclusive
At Dublin Zoo, conservation isn't just a goal; it's at the heart of everything we do.
Everyone can see the toucans - but you have high IQ if you spot the penguin
Our colony of Humboldt penguins, known in Irish as Piongain Pheiriúch, play a vital role in our education and awareness efforts.
Through immersive habitats, expert veterinary care, and engaging public programmes, we aim to connect visitors to the wider conservation story behind these birds.
Of the nineteen Humboldt penguins here at Dublin Zoo, no two are the same in personality or appearance.
Advertisement
Each penguin sports a unique pattern of black chest spots, making them individually recognisable to our animal care team.
The Humboldt penguins also have their own unique personalities.
Some are shy and quiet, while others are a bit cheekier, often seen pecking at the keepers' legs just for fun.
Then there are the more outgoing types, like Kelly, the oldest penguin in the colony.
Advertisement
When Kelly decides it's time for a dip in the pond, the others are often quick to follow!
What sets Humboldt penguins apart isn't just their geographic range, it's their extraordinary adaptations.
They rely on the cold, nutrient-rich Humboldt Current to provide a steady supply of fish.
Their barbed tongues help grip slippery prey, and their specialized nasal glands allow them to process saltwater.
Advertisement
To regulate body temperature, they flush pink around their beaks — a built-in cooling system that visitors can often spot on warmer days.
These birds are social and monogamous by nature, often returning to the same mates and nesting spots each season.
The Humboldt penguins here at
They are extremely particular when it comes to setting up their nesting sites and dwelling areas, often spending plenty of time before breeding season carefully selecting and gathering materials to build their nests.
Advertisement
Once nesting begins, both parents take turns incubating the eggs, sharing the responsibility equally.
There are currently two penguin chicks at Dublin Zoo; our first chick of 2025 hatched last week to proud parents Patrick and Houdini.
Houdini got her name thanks to her knack for escaping her former habitat.
She was transferred to Dublin Zoo in 2004, paired with Patrick, and the two have formed a very strong bond.
Advertisement
The team are also looking forward to another penguin chick (or chicks) in the near future, with breeding pair Belle and Cube currently incubating their eggs, which are due to hatch at the beginning of May.
Beyond the zoo grounds, Dublin Zoo is proud to support field conservation through our ongoing partnership with Sphenisco, an international organisation working to protect Humboldt penguins in their native habitats.
This partnership contributes to initiatives like regulating fishing zones, safeguarding breeding sites, and monitoring wild populations. All essential for reversing the species' decline.
On World Penguin Day, Dublin Zoo invites all visitors to delve deeper into the story of these extraordinary birds.
Advertisement
Whether observing them near Sea Lion Cove, attending a keeper talk, or joining a penguin-themed educational activity, guests are encouraged to see beyond the novelty and connect with the broader message of marine conservation.
Humboldt penguins are not just survivors, they are indicators of ocean health, sentinels of change, and ambassadors for marine ecosystems under threat.
Through continued education, conservation, and collaboration, we hope to ensure that these remarkable birds remain a vibrant part of our planet's biodiversity.
3
Today is World Penguin Day
Credit: Barry Mulvey - The Sun Dublin
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
5 hours ago
- Agriland
Study aims to improve gender balance in agri and rural reporting
A research project is aiming to promote better gender balance when it comes to coverage of agricultural and rural issues in the media. Over the coming 12 months, the 'Time to be Seen' project will work to identify how both women and men are represented in the media when it comes to these topics. It will raise awareness in cases where women are omitted from this coverage or misrepresented and how this can be addressed. The project is also aiming to develop resources to promote women's participation and representation in Irish mainstream media coverage of farming and rural matters. Dr Muireann Prendergast (third from left) with farmers and journalists who took part in the Agri Rural Media Forum in Limerick Dr Muireann Prendergast, a postdoctoral researcher based at the South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford is the principal investigator of the study. She previously worked as a journalist in Latin America and has recently been working on the Grass Ceiling project in Waterford which is focused on women innovators in farm and rural areas. Funded through Research Ireland, the Time to be Seen study is being carried out in conjunction with Macra and the University of Limerick. As part of the project an Agri Rural Media Forum took place in Limerick yesterday (Thursday, June 5) which brought together journalists and women working in agriculture and living in rural areas. The in-person forum, which was attended by Agriland, will be supplemented by interviews with journalists and rural women. There will also be a focus group held with farm and rural men to hear their views on the topic. Media analysis will be carried out to examine specific issues such as how female leaders in farm organisations are represented in the media. Gender balance Dr Muireann Prendergast told Agriland the project is hoping to develop guidelines and recommendations for journalists to promote gender balance when it comes to reporting on farm and rural issues. Training materials will also be made available through Macra Skillnet to help women develop their media skills and encourage their participation in stories. 'There a lot of social and cultural norms that are present in media in terms of how farming and entrepreneurship in rural areas is more associated with men than women, which is inaccurate. 'Women also make a huge, fantastic contribution to these areas as well. We just want to promote that their voices are seen and heard,' Prendergast said. During yesterday's forum, the rural women present suggested that a gender balanced media directory be developed to allow more women to feature in farming and rural stories on media outlets. Prendergast described this as a fantastic recommendation, adding 'we do find that more men than women tend to be quoted as expert sources'.
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Animal magnetism: How to use sculpture to create a garden focal point
When we think about creating beautiful outdoor spaces, our minds often jump to colour schemes, planting plans, or hard landscaping. But one of the most powerful tools in a garden designer's toolbox is something quite simple: the focal point. A garden, like a good painting, benefits enormously from a strong composition. And every good composition needs something to draw the eye, a centrepiece that invites you in and gives meaning to the space around it. It could be a tree, a water feature, or a well-placed bench. But increasingly, I'm drawn to the character and charm of sculpture, especially when it speaks to our landscape, our heritage, and our imagination. Over the years, I have found that one of the most exciting sources for this kind of focal point is local auction houses. Sourcing garden focal points from auction houses ensures your piece of statuary is unique, not forgetting often highly collectable, sustainable and durable within your garden space. One particular auction that comes to mind is the annual Summer Garden Sale, hosted by Cavan-based Victor Mee Auctions. Victor Mee's yearly garden auction has become something of a fixture on the calendar for designers, collectors, and garden lovers alike. And for good reason, as the catalogue is always full of personality, ranging from grand classical pieces to the delightfully unexpected smaller statues and useful garden items. This year, there's a particularly enchanting theme running through the sculptural line-up: traditional Irish woodland and farm animals. We're talking everything from a proud parade of sheep and a pair of pigs mid-snuffle to a flurry of hares in full motion. There are geese, life-sized horses, and even a dramatic sculpture of a horse and jockey clearing a fence, all of which are full of energy and storytelling potential. These garden focal points do more than simply decorate a space. They become part of the garden's soul. Animal sculptures, in particular, have a unique ability to connect us with the land. They reflect the rhythms of Irish life, from the fields to the farms, and they carry with them a sense of nostalgia and folklore. A bronze hare mid-leap can remind us of the flash of movement through a dewy meadow. A grouping of cast-iron sheep brings a sense of calm and familiarity, especially in more urban settings. And a pair of pigs can make even the most formal garden feel grounded and playful. These kinds of focal points do something quite magical in a garden. They catch the eye, spark curiosity, and bring humour and heart into the space. They give you a second to pause, and for me, that's what a great garden is all about. It's not just about plants and paving, which of course are so important, but it's also about creating a place that draws you in and asks you to look again. The beauty of a piece from auction houses like Victor Mee's Garden Sale is in its individuality. Every item is chosen with care, and in Victor Mee's case, many items were held back throughout the year to make this sale a true event. Whether it's a traditional stone urn, a whimsical bronze fox, or a reclaimed wrought-iron bench, each item brings a distinct voice to the garden. And when you build your design around a piece with this kind of presence, the rest of the garden naturally falls into rhythm. It's a trend I'm seeing more and more — garden owners wanting not just style, but story. They want their outdoor spaces to reflect who they are and where they come from. Of course, placing a sculpture well is just as important as choosing the right one. Think about framing it with planting, whether that be tall grasses for movement, wildflowers for contrast, or clipped hedging for formality. Let it surprise people around a corner or make it the centrepiece of your view from the kitchen window. A garden focal point doesn't need to be big to be bold, it's about presence, not size. It should invite interaction, whether that's contemplation, a smile, or even a selfie! The Victor Mee Summer Garden Sale doesn't just offer antiques and oddities; it offers the chance to bring a piece of the story into your space. So this summer, if you're thinking of refreshing your garden or starting from scratch, begin with the focal point. Let it be something that brings joy, sparks a memory, or simply makes you stop and smile. Because that, to me, is what gardening is all about. Victor Mee Auctions' annual Summer Garden Sale will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 10 and 11, live and online from the Co Cavan family-run auction house. Public viewing will take place on location at Victor Mee Auctions, Cavan auction rooms on June 7 and 8 from 12pm-5pm and on June 9 from 10am-5pm. Read More Six ways to use mirrors in your garden or outdoor space
Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Art deco inspired property on Louth shoreline comes with 1900 lifeboat station and wealth of wildlife
Asking price: €1.2m Agent: Sherry FitzGerald Carroll (042) 9332173 On April 6, 1858, The Mary Stoddart, a barque which had departed Scarborough, ran aground in Dundalk Bay during a violent storm. The conditions were treacherous. The ship's decks were two or three feet below high tide level and the crew of 18 had to tie themselves up in the rigging and spend the next three days drenched, frozen and terrified, as the storm raged on. For that time, desperate rescue attempts were made to reach them with boats out of Soldier's Point and Blackrock in Dundalk, but all efforts failed. On April 9, another attempt was made by two boats under Captain James Kelly and Captain John Hinds. On nearing the Mary Stoddart, Kelly's boat was overturned, but another wave righted her, and the crew clambered back in. Captain Kelly, however, was carried out to sea and perished. The remaining crew, suffering from exposure and shock, were ferried back to Blackrock by Captain Hinds, but two died en route and another shortly afterwards. The 11 surviving crew members of the Mary Stoddart were finally brought back to shore on April 10, after the winds eased. The ship eventually broke up where she had run aground, two nautical miles from the Fane river estuary. A public outcry in the wake of the tragedy led to the establishment of a lifeboat station a year later at the southern end of the promenade in Blackrock. A monument in Captain Kelly's honour now stands in Dundalk town. The first lifeboat was horse-drawn, but transporting the vessel over the sand and mudflats proved difficult. A more efficient alternative in the form of a new boathouse closer to the estuary was built in 1900. It operated until 1935, and the building still remains. ADVERTISEMENT Beside it is a four-bedroom family home, designed by the architect Fergus Flynn Rogers, in the style of art deco architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It was built by pharmacists Sean and Rosemary Gardiner, of Gardiner Family Apothecary, in 1994. 'It was their dream house and they were very proud of it,' explains their daughter Joanna Gardiner, who is selling the property with her siblings Patrick and Zoe. Joanna is now the CEO of the family-run pharmaceutical company, which also sells medical devices and skincare products. The 2,270 sq ft house is bow-shaped on three sides, and designed to feel like being in a boat at sea with downstairs views of the water. The decor is mostly cream, white and beige in keeping with the construction style. The floors downstairs, save for the kitchen, are maple. In the sitting room and dining room, there are Portland stone fire surrounds. 'It's lovely in winter when the wind is howling and the fire is lit,' she says. 'And there's a bit of an art deco feel to the elongated windows throughout with their little squares.' There's a square-shaped conservatory on the south-west side of the house, which looks on to the boathouse. Here, the Gardiners added a roof and installed a stove. The traditional style kitchen has a tiled floor with wooden cupboards and a dresser, used to store samples of apothecary. There's a Georgian glass cabinet, a pine kitchen table and a utility room off it. Upstairs, there are four double bedrooms, one of which has an en suite bathroom, and a family bathroom. Joanna's brother Patrick, who also works in the family business, has happy memories of growing up there. 'I was a fanatical windsurfer and I used to go from the back of the house,' he says. 'It's a tidal area and the water is only ever up to your waist or shoulders, so it was perfect for water sports.' 'We held lots of family events: barbecues, communions and christenings there too, and Christmas was always wonderful in the house,' adds Joanna. 'Between us, there are nine grandchildren and they've also spent a lot of time there.' One of these is her 26-year-old son, Tom. 'I spent nearly as much time in the house as I did in my parent's home,' he says. 'We moved a couple of times in my early years, but it was my constant – I've a strong connection with it and with the boathouse.' The 920 sq ft boathouse after which the main property is named, is set on an elevated site and has been used to store boat and water sports equipment, as well as kit for attending to the 0.7-acre garden. Tom has enjoyed paddle boarding from the house, and recalls searching for crabs in the nearby rock pools as a child. 'But the most amazing thing about it is the view in the early mornings, when the sun is just coming up and the water is like glass. You can see murmurations of birds in the sky and they're just beautiful.' The Boathouse is located beside the Fane river estuary, and the marshy mud and salt banks there are a designated wildlife conservation area. 'You can see wild geese, swans and flocks of starlings,' says Joanna. 'People come from all over to photograph them and when the tide goes out, their sound is amazing.' The house also comes with 1.1 acres of shore frontage which is open to the public, and there are no walls surrounding it. It's equally scenic all around the location, with views of Dundalk Bay, the Cooley Mountains and Dunany Point in the distance. It's a five-minute walk from the village of Blackrock, and there are two primary schools nearby. Dundalk is a 10-minute drive, and you can reach Dublin airport in 35 minutes by car. After the passing of their mother last year, the family are selling the house. Joanna has mixed feelings about it. 'It's bittersweet because we all love it,' she says. 'I do hope whoever buys it will restore the boathouse. It's an important piece of history.' Sherry FitzGerald Carroll is asking €1.2m.
