Sea World penguin have celebrated World Penguin Day with fishy treats

IT was like Easter all over again for Sea World’s penguins who celebrated World Penguin Day with a fitting fish cake and toys this morning.

IT was like Easter all over again for Sea World’s penguins who celebrated World Penguin Day with a fitting fish cake and toys this morning.

The King and Gentoo Penguins at the wildlife park are a favourite among families and live in two separate enclosures.

World Penguin Day is to raise awareness of ocean rubbish, a serious threat to coastal birds.

But it wasn’t just penguins in on the act, Sea World included in-park activities allowing park visitors to interact with penguin artefacts such as Gentoo egg shells, feathers and breeding rocks. Sea World’s Penguin Encounter supervisor, Katrina Krygger, said the day was a special for all the penguins in the park.

Sea World's King and Gentoo Penguins celebrate World Penguin Day in-style with a delicious fish ice cake and a collection of their favourite toys and treats. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

“Our birds are instinctively curious and the fish cake, toys and treats provided vital enrichment for the birds,” Mrs Krygger said.

“It is important to raise awareness about the effect ocean rubbish has on penguins especially given their inquisitive nature they choose often discarded fishing line and rubbish as their new toys.”

Sea World's King and Gentoo Penguins celebrate World Penguin Day in-style with a delicious fish ice cake. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

Along with the festivities, Sea World Research & Rescue Foundation raised money for penguin research with a percentage of sales from all Penguin Walker Plush toys today going to the cause. Sea World Research & Rescue Foundation’s Community Engagement Officer Belinda McCarthy said it was important to learn as much as we could about the flightless birds.

“Penguins are a major focus of the Research & Rescue Foundation with past projects funded on crested, little and Antarctic ice-dependant penguins,” Ms McCarthy said.

“Sea World’s King and Gentoo Penguins are also important ambassadors for climate change and Sea World guests can learn about the effects of climate change in the Antarctic region in the amazing Penguin Encounter educational exhibition.”

Sea World Research & Rescue Foundation is Sea World’s local marine charity supported by community donations and the Friends of the Foundation.