East Yorkshire zoo goes viral worldwide after celebrating one of UK's oldest penguins

One of the oldest penguins in the UK has celebrated her 30th birthday at a zoo in East Yorkshire.

Rosie the Humboldt penguin arrived at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, near Bridlington, in 1990 and has surpassed the life expectancy for her species in the wild by around 10 years.

Rosie has since enjoyed worldwide coverage of her remarkable birthday celebrations.

Media coverage of Rosie’s achievement led to Rosie being featured on CBS News and ABC News in the USA, as well as Good Morning America, with a potential audience of ten million viewers.

Rosie has also featured on media and social media in Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, and John Pickering was interviewed on Newstalk Radio across Ireland.

Head zookeeper John Pickering said:

Marie Gascoigne, general manager of Sewerby Hall and Gardens, added:

Humboldt penguins are classed as vulnerable to extinction due to changes in climate and overfishing of their preferred prey species. Credit: Sewerby Hall and Gardens

Reaching the great age of 30 is a real achievement, both for Rosie and the zoo staff who look after her. Life expectancy of Humboldt penguins in the wild is 15-20, and Rosie is believed to be one of the oldest penguins in the UK.The penguins have played a vital role in the zoo's breeding programme since 1990 and Rosie has hatched several chicks over the years.

Humboldt penguins are classed as vulnerable to extinction due to changes in climate and overfishing of their preferred prey species.

They live mainly in the north of Chile and their life expectancy in the wild is between 15 and 20 years.

During the current closure period, staff at the zoo are still working hard to look after the animals, and are also regularly posting updates and videos of daily life in the zoo. Follow Sewerby Hall and Gardens on facebook to keep up to date.