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On patrol with the penguin police!
New recruits are in training for what could be the most unusual job in the country.
Kate Hall and Kim Jayne have just joined the Penguin Patrol at Living Coasts in Torquay.
Torquay’s coastal zoo needs a team of people to keep an eye on its free ranging penguins and their admiring fans. Dozens of African and macaroni penguins mingle with visitors and are often seen waddling down the footpaths. The pair join Sue Abrahams and Jane Walker, who are both experienced penguin patrollers.
Living Coasts spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “To join the Penguin Patrol you have to be friendly, confident, outgoing but sensible – bird brains need not apply. You must like birds and people and be happy to work weekends. It’s a great job – you’re out in the sun and the sea air all day with some of the most amazing birds in the world.
“The penguins have no fear and are quite happy to investigate shoe laces, handbags and toggles on coats. It’s an amazing experience to go walking with penguins – you can get really close. We just need to make sure people don’t get over-excited and try to chase or pet the birds.”
The Penguin Patroller makes sure all the visitors get a good view but steps in if visitors get too friendly. Sue Abrahams, a self-confessed penguin addict, said: “We have to remind people not to touch the birds. Our penguins spend a lot of time preening - if people were to touch their feathers they would remove the oil coating and affect their waterproofing.
“It’s the best job in the world if you have enough clothes in the winter and enough sun tan lotion in the summer! It is wonderful to spend so much quality time with a fantastic range of birdlife in all seasons of the year. It must be the best job in the world!”
Living Coasts is a coastal zoo and discovery centre and a registered charity. It is home to scores of penguins, as well as puffins, fur seals, wading birds and many other species. The attraction is open every day except Christmas Day. For more information go to www.livingcoasts.org.uk or ring (01803) 202470.
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Kate Hall and Kim Jayne have just joined the Penguin Patrol at Living Coasts in Torquay.
Torquay’s coastal zoo needs a team of people to keep an eye on its free ranging penguins and their admiring fans. Dozens of African and macaroni penguins mingle with visitors and are often seen waddling down the footpaths. The pair join Sue Abrahams and Jane Walker, who are both experienced penguin patrollers.
Living Coasts spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “To join the Penguin Patrol you have to be friendly, confident, outgoing but sensible – bird brains need not apply. You must like birds and people and be happy to work weekends. It’s a great job – you’re out in the sun and the sea air all day with some of the most amazing birds in the world.
“The penguins have no fear and are quite happy to investigate shoe laces, handbags and toggles on coats. It’s an amazing experience to go walking with penguins – you can get really close. We just need to make sure people don’t get over-excited and try to chase or pet the birds.”
The Penguin Patroller makes sure all the visitors get a good view but steps in if visitors get too friendly. Sue Abrahams, a self-confessed penguin addict, said: “We have to remind people not to touch the birds. Our penguins spend a lot of time preening - if people were to touch their feathers they would remove the oil coating and affect their waterproofing.
“It’s the best job in the world if you have enough clothes in the winter and enough sun tan lotion in the summer! It is wonderful to spend so much quality time with a fantastic range of birdlife in all seasons of the year. It must be the best job in the world!”
Living Coasts is a coastal zoo and discovery centre and a registered charity. It is home to scores of penguins, as well as puffins, fur seals, wading birds and many other species. The attraction is open every day except Christmas Day. For more information go to www.livingcoasts.org.uk or ring (01803) 202470.