Paradise Park’s penguins now eat sardines caught 10 miles away

A keeper said something in passing. A visitor overheard it. And the menu for an entire penguin colony changed. The Humboldt penguins at Paradise Park in Hayle are now eating sardines landed about 10 miles from their pool, and one of this year’s chicks has been named after the boat that brings them in.

The remark that changed the menu

Sardines had been the dish of choice for the park’s penguins for years, until the local supplier of many years retired. With no obvious replacement, the park moved to frozen sprats imported from the Netherlands.

Then local fisherman Tom Lambourn came for a visit and overheard a keeper say the penguins loved sardines. Stocks have been depleted in the waters where Humboldt penguins live wild, but Tom knew sardines were available around Cornwall, and that a regular supply could be arranged.

“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,'” Tom said.

The chick named after a fishing boat

The park marked the new arrangement by naming one of this year’s penguin chicks after Tom’s vessel, Lyonesse.

“We were delighted to name one of this year’s penguin chicks ‘Lyonesse’ after fisherman Tom Lambourn’s fishing vessel,” said Becky Waite, Head of Softbills at Paradise Park. “When you visit you can look out for her flipper band number 10329 which is on her right flipper.”

Two to three tonnes a year

The park will now take around two to three tonnes of Cornish sardines a year from Tom. That means the birds eat fish caught a short boat ride away rather than fish moved across Europe.

There are 26 penguins at the park at the moment. Among them is Spneb, who at 38 years old is believed to be the oldest Humboldt penguin in the world. She marked her most recent birthday with her favourite dish, a helping of Cornish sardines.

“We’re delighted to be sourcing sardines locally for our penguins,” said David Woolcock, Curator at Paradise Park. “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.”

Why the local catch matters

Sardines are a nutritious plate for people too, carrying omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins B12 and D, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, potassium and zinc.

Gus Caslake, Industry Engagement Manager for South West England at Seafish and Chair of the Cornish Sardine Management Association, said the switch showed what the fishery can do.

“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,” he said. “Cornish sardines are Marine Stewardship Council certified which verifies seafood has come from a fishery which meets strict environmental benchmarks and is fully traceable throughout the supply chain.”

Gus added that with sardines being caught primarily for human consumption, people can be confident they are eating sustainable, high quality seafood from UK waters.

A new board by the penguin pool

Anyone heading to see the colony will find a new information board next to the pool, created by Seafish in partnership with Cornish sardine fishermen. It carries facts about the health and other benefits of feeding the penguins on locally caught sardines.

And Lyonesse, band 10329, right flipper, is out there somewhere among the 26.

“It’s great to see a local catch being used locally, and even better knowing that the penguins are clearly very happy with the arrangement,” Tom said. “They’ve got excellent taste!”

📷Credit: Paradise Park