Home / Environment / Penguin Reaches Record 38 Years, Oldest Ever!
Penguin Reaches Record 38 Years, Oldest Ever!
16 Apr
Summary
- Humboldt penguin Spneb turns 38, potentially world's oldest.
- She celebrated with a special ice cake of sardines and sprats.
- Spneb survived a life-threatening illness in 2007.
A Humboldt penguin named Spneb celebrated her 38th birthday this week at a wildlife sanctuary in Cornwall. Keepers at Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary believe she is now the oldest living Humboldt penguin in the world. Her special day was marked with an ice cake filled with Cornish sardines and sprats, which are among her favorite foods.
Spneb's name is derived from the medications used to treat her during a serious illness in 2007, when she battled Aspergillosis. She has lived well ever since, showing no signs of slowing down. Staff describe her as still having a strong appetite and keen interest in her surroundings, acting as a 'neighborhood watch' for the younger birds.
According to global zoo records, no Humboldt penguin in captivity has reached this age, making Spneb a unique record holder. In the wild, Humboldt penguins typically live 15 to 20 years due to predators and environmental pressures. While captive penguins often live longer, reaching 38 is considered extraordinary.
