Marwell has announced that its Humboldt penguins have returned to Penguin Cove following a bird flu outbreak at the end of last year.

As previously reported, it was found that a number of penguins at Marwell Zoo had contracted bird flu, with some dying from the infection.

Since then, extensive work has been done to clean and disinfect their enclosure and ensure all legal requirements are met, with all seven penguins having been returned to their homes as a result.

This work has only been possible thanks to the excellent planning, quick response, and hard work of Marwell’s fantastic veterinary and animal teams.

The penguins are still under special care and guests won’t be able to get as close to the pool or access Penguin Cove Playground, but they can be seen from the main path.

Keeping penguins indoors risks health conditions and infection so returning them to their proper environment is a huge relief to everyone at the zoo.

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Birds team leader Dan Garrett said: “It’s great to see them back in their enclosure where they can swim properly, feed in the water and have opportunities to seek shelter in their burrows.

“They feel safer in the water so it’s obviously of huge benefit to have them back in their pool.

“Penguins haven’t evolved to stand still, in the wild they spend nine months at sea, so they’re used to being on the move all of the time.”

While the penguins settle back into their enclosure guests may notice they are looking a little dishevelled after their indoor stay, but Marwell is confident they will soon be back to their shiny best.

The zoo has also been able to reopen its walk-through aviaries so guests can visit their favourite feathered friends again.

Marwell is asking guests to help it keep its animals as safe as possible by using foot dips and hand sanitising stations in these areas as well as adhering to marked walkways.

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Guests can now visit the flamingos, Northern bald ibis, village weavers and swift parrots as well as other fascinating animals, including giraffes, rhinos, red pandas and Amur tigers.

The Energy for Life: Tropical House will stay closed a while longer to enable the zoo to complete outstanding maintenance works but it is hoped that the zoo will be able to reopen it for guests as soon as possible.

The zoo is also reverting to its standard winter pricing from Tuesday, January 31 onwards.

Adult admission is £19 and child tickets are £15.  All children under the age of three can visit for free.

For more information and to book your tickets visit marwell.org.uk.