Love is in the air for Valentine penguins

A SEASIDE zoo is to become an exclusive couples resort for penguins – just as Valentine’s Day looms.

Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium is home to more than 80 penguins of two species, African and macaroni.

The macaroni penguins, from the sub-antarctic and Antarctic Peninsula, include five pairs, eight single males and two single females.

Most of the bachelors will move to another zoo to give the paired birds peace and privacy for breeding.

The transfer from the Living Coasts zoo was decided at a meeting of penguin experts, who are hoping that reducing the number of unpaired males will pay dividends.

“Unpaired males tend to disturb nesting birds, try to steal nesting material and even attempt to push out males and take their place,” said curator Clare Rugg.

“But this move is also based on genetics – zoos work hard to make sure we’re keeping a strong and healthy breeding group of any given species.

“It’s so important that places like Living Coasts bring people face-to-face with the natural world. That connection is key to saving species and habitats.”

Penguins tend to mate for life, although they are not above the odd fling.

Keeper Jason Keller said macaroni breeding at the zoo in recent years has “not been ideal”.

He added: “We have had too many males and also had a difficult age structure, with lots of very young birds and older birds and not enough of breeding age.

“This should really help.”