Mara Beo penguins p-p-p-pick up a paintbrush
PEOPLE have been discovering all sorts of hobbies thanks to the Covid lockdowns and now even the penguins in Mara Beo are at it.
The sociable penguins are normally perfectly happy putting on a show for visitors in the arctic setting of their enclosure at the aquarium. The penguins are so curious about things going on in their environment that they will even stop and stare at people rather than eating, said marine biologist Louise Overy.
But the aquarium is closed these days due to coronavirus restrictions and the penguins finding life without visitors a little bit boring. However, Mara Beo staff have risen to the challenge of keeping the gregarious birds happy by introducing colour into their black and white lives and it was an instant success.
“We put out a wax tablecloth and poured poster paints on to it, and they all gathered to see what was going on,” said Louise. Before long the penguins were producing feet paintings, something in the style of the tap dancing paintings produced by dance supremo Michael Flatley.
The penguins’ artworks might not attract the €20,000 or €30,000 that Flatley sells his paintings for, but they are selling nonetheless and the money raised will go to the Falklands Conservation trust and local maritime conservation projects such as the Natterjack Toad and lobster programmes.
The paintings are for sale on the Dingle Oceanworld website www.dingle-oceanworld.ie and one of the early purchasers is NASA aerospace engineer Sinead O’Sullivan who has a declared affinity with penguins. According to Louise a painting by Mara Beo penguins now has pride of place on the wall of her home.
The penguins interest in the arts isn’t confined to painting. They will also sing along to music and, who knows, they might go on to record a CD.