After almost 24 months, incorporating extensive research, plus a colossal amount of planning, building and sheer hard work, this week sees Flamingo Land’s elusive Humboldt Penguins making a welcome return to public life.

Although a spectacular launch of the Theme Park & Zoo’s latest attraction, Penguin Coast, had been planned for Summer 2010, the focus on creating a truly compatible environment has tempered the project’s development.

However, a desire to get the penguins back out and swimming in their new pool means visitors can once again enjoy watching these beloved creatures after a two-year break. “We know Penguin Coast will soon provide one of the best environments for penguins living outside the wild, but finishing the project was going to take a further 6 months. Our Humboldt’s are incredibly popular and we were continually being asked when they’d be back,” commented Victoria Gibb. “We had to make a difficult choice between our desire to complete what was always going to be a long-term project and giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy one of the zoo’s most popular inhabitants”.

Construction work on Penguin Coast Phase 2 will begin towards the end of this season, including a stunning 5-metre waterfall and a dedicated research platform. So, by the time Flamingo Land opens for 2011, the UK’s biggest and best penguin enclosure is sure to be fully operational.

Flamingo Land Zoo, the most popular attraction of its kind in Great Britain, takes responsibility for its many inhabitants with the seriousness it deserves. The development of Penguin Coast once again saw collaboration between Flamingo Land’s dedicated zoo team and The University of York, this time incorporating the skills of Masters student Stacy Mayer. The resulting design harmonises with the creatures’ behavioural patterns and recognises their unique likes and dislikes. However, the world’s population of Humboldt Penguins is still in decline due to climate change and overfishing. So, an s part of extensive conservation work both abroad and at home, Flamingo Land Zoo will continue to support a dedicated captive breeding programme to help protect this amazing species from extinction.