THIS week we celebrate the arrival of four new animals, explained the seriousness of a penguin disease, and delivered sad news for hopeful visitors.

We closed our doors to visitors on Sunday evening, however; our dedicated team of animal carers will be onsite to take care of our 1,400 dependents.

This means that our news will not stop as there is always something afoot – this week Penguin feet in particular.

This week the beaked buddies of our penguin waddle lined up for their regular health check.

How do you health check a penguin…..well:

- First we get a good hold of them (which is easier said than done as penguin keeper Jonah will attest to).

- Second, we weigh them.

- Third, we check their microchips are reading ok and that their colour coded ID bands are still in tact and finally we have a good look at and capture a photo of the bottom of their little webbed feet.

Why feet I hear you ask? Well, penguins can be susceptible to a thing known as bumblefoot – cute as this sounds the name is very misleading and is a very serious disease which poses a risk to the lives of our feathered friends.

Bumblefoot is a husbandry induced disease which refers to the inflammation of the base of the foot and can be the result of inappropriate substrate – this is why you will see the floor of the penguin enclosure comprises a mixture of a range of substances; sand, large pebbles and smaller pebbles as prevention of nasty bumblefoot.

Elsewhere, animal manager Kim and senior keeper Michael made a journey down south to collect our four latest arrivals – four Canada lynx brothers born in May 2019!

The boys are taking some time to settle into their indoor house before they’ll be out exploring their outdoor area.

Four appropriate and adorable names have been chosen for these guys which we will reveal in due course. Welcome to the family fluffy ones!