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Cotswolds Penguins Get Iconic Names for Conservation
26 Jan
Summary
- Humboldt penguin chicks named Del Boy, Rodney, and Raquel in Bourton-on-the-Water.
- The naming aims to raise awareness of threats to rare Humboldt penguins.
- Conservation efforts include artificial nesting boxes in Peru.
Three Humboldt penguin chicks, born in 2025 at Birdland Park & Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, have been given iconic names: Del Boy, Rodney, and Raquel, inspired by the beloved British sitcom Only Fools and Horses. The park chose these familiar names on Penguin Awareness Day, January 20, to highlight the conservation challenges faced by Humboldt penguins. These birds are classified as rare, with fewer than 10,000 individuals remaining in the wild.
Head keeper Alistair Keen recently returned from Southern Peru, where he participated in conservation efforts for the species. He constructed 100 artificial nesting boxes to protect eggs and chicks from environmental threats such as rising temperatures and predators. This initiative is part of a broader program to support the Humboldt penguin population, which is also impacted by climate change, overfishing, and El Niño events.
Birdland has been partnered with Penguins International since 2023, supporting population surveys and conservation initiatives like the Punta San Juan Programme. Keen hopes the adoption of relatable names for the penguin trio will foster a deeper connection with visitors, emphasizing that every penguin's welfare matters, whether in the UK or in its native habitat along the coasts of Chile and Peru.
