Cornish sardines back on menu for penguins

Penguins at a Cornwall wildlife park are once again tucking into locally-caught sardines after a chance conversation helped replace imported fish with a Cornish alternative caught just 10 miles (16km) away.

Paradise Park in Hayle has begun sourcing between two and three tonnes of sardines a year from local fisherman Tom Lambourn, allowing its 26 Humboldt penguins to enjoy fish landed close to home rather than frozen sprats imported from the Netherlands.

The birds had previously been fed sardines for years, but the supply ended when the park's long-standing local supplier retired.

The switch came about after Lambourn visited the park and heard a keeper mention that the penguins loved sardines.

He said: "When I heard the penguins loved sardines but that the park thought they couldn't get them, I thought: 'Well, I might be able to help with that.'"

Lambourn said it was "great to see a local catch being used locally" and added: "They've got excellent taste."

The new arrangement has proved popular with the penguins, including 38-year-old Spneb, who is believed to be the world's oldest Humboldt penguin.

She recently marked her birthday with a meal of her favourite food of Cornish sardines.

David Woolcock, curator at Paradise Park, said staff were pleased to be sourcing the fish locally.

He said: "It's a great example of how a simple conversation can lead to a really positive change.

"The sardines are caught just a short distance away and the penguins absolutely love them."

Gus Caslake, Seafish industry engagement manager for South West England and chair of the Cornish Sardine Management Association, said the move reduced the need to transport fish long distances while highlighting the quality of the local catch.

He said: "This is a brilliant example of a local catch staying local, reducing the need to transport fish long distances and showcasing the quality of the Cornish sardine."

Visitors can also learn more about the birds' diet through a new information board beside the penguin pool, created in partnership with Cornish sardine fishermen.

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