Penguins festively received at Eindhoven Zoo

Under great interest, Eindhoven Zoo opened the new penguin enclosure on Saturday. Some 200 people watched the animals explore their new enclosure for the first time. A day earlier, the winners of the "Walk like a penguin competition" had inspected and decorated the enclosure for the opening weekend.

There are a total of 24 Humboldt penguins at the zoo on the border of Mierlo and Nuenen. During the opening ceremony more was told about this in nature very vulnerable species. Visitors could also eat herring and children could get glitter tattoos.

Winners

The 28 pupils of group 4A of elementary school de Vendelier from Helmond had inspected and decorated the enclosure the day before. They had won the "Walk like a penguin competition" with their film about the journey of the Humboldt penguins. The children were given a special tour of the enclosure by the zookeepers and were of course allowed to admire the new residents. They also made paintings that will hang in the indoor exhibit.

"It was fantastic to see those children busy," says Chantal Ermers, general manager of Eindhoven Zoo. "They were all dressed up as penguins and super enthusiastic. And of course it is also very special to be the only one allowed into the enclosure - this is not normally open to visitors."

Enthusiast

She also looks back on the opening with satisfaction. "We were very excited about the arrival of the penguins, but it is also very nice to see that visitors also genuinely enjoy having them there."

The Humboldt penguin is native to the coastal regions of Peru and Chile. They are medium-sized penguins with a relatively large head, black back and tail. Characteristic is the pink spot around their bill. Swimming, they can reach speeds of up to 50 km per hour.