It's so cold, even the penguins don't want to venture outside!
THEY are birds associated with the winter wonderland of the Antarctic.
But staff at Sewerby Hall are facing a struggle to coax their penguins from their shelter as snow continues to fall on East Yorkshire.
Known for crossing the frozen wilderness and sliding along the ice, it came as a shock to many that the birds at Sewerby hated the snow.
But, as Humboldt penguins, their cousins in the wild hail from the South American coast and never see the white stuff.
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Sewerby's penguins would rather stay inside than play in the snow.
As long as their sandy beach and grassed area is white, they will only venture out of their huts at feeding time.
Zookeeper John Pickering said: "While our penguins are bred in captivity, in the wild, it is hotter than the UK.
"They do have blubber and insulation to withstand the cold but they just don't like the snow and ice.
"When there is snow on the path, they won't come out so we have to feed them by hand.
"The other problem is the pond. To feed, we throw the food into the water but if it's frozen over, we have to break it up."
Pair Dion and Rosie gave birth a couple of years ago to young Flip Flop who is coping well.
Mr Pickering said: "Flip Flop has already experienced bad weather and has been doing all right.
"The penguins are still coming out for a swim but they have been spending less time outside since the snow started.
"During a sunny day, they would be out basking but they will be staying indoors more at the moment."
The filtration system at the penguin pool means it will never fully freeze over, so the eight penguins can soon take a quick dip for fish at their feeding times.
The Humboldt Penguin is endangered in the wild, but the group at Sewerby breed on a regular basis.
Meanwhile, the other animals are also taking the icy weather in their stride.
Mr Pickering said: "We are putting out more hay bales for the deer and other animals which provides both food and bedding.
"We are probably providing the deer with twice as much hay a day as we normally do.
"Despite the weather, they are in rutting season so the male deer have more on their mind than the cold weather."
Comments
by Rambling_Sid
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 7:52AM
“There was a little bear cub who
Lived with his mum in London Zoo
His mum said that his snow white hair
Defined him as a polar bear.
But bear cub thought, "This isn't right,
There must be other bears as white!"
So he asked the wise old hare,
Can I really be a polar bear?"
Said hare," Indeed you are I know,
Your whiteness merges with the snow
To creep up on the slippery seals
And turn them into instant meals.
Next to the penguin he did go,
A fellow creature of the snow.
He asked the penguin to declare
If he was, indeed, a polar bear.
The penguin fluffed his feathers out
And said "I'm sure there is no doubt
I've seen you causing seals some strife
In the penguin book of arctic life.
His mother said, "My Little Bear
Embarrassing me is most unfair
Questioning your parentage
Is always certain to enrage
"But I can't be a polar bear,
Despite my thick and snow white fur
Though I don't wish to be displeasing."
I'm always fer fer fer fer freezing!"
Rambling Sid”