Cornwall Penguins Switch to Local Sardines Caught 10 Miles Away

Twenty-six Humboldt penguins at Paradise Park in Hayle, Cornwall, are celebrating a delicious upgrade to their menu, thanks to a lucky conversation that brought local sardines back to their dinner plates.

The penguins had feasted on sardines for years until their longtime local supplier retired. The park switched to frozen sprats imported all the way from the Netherlands, but that changed when fisherman Tom Lambourn stopped by for a visit.

Lambourn overheard a keeper mention how much the penguins missed their sardines. "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,'" he said.

Now Paradise Park sources two to three tonnes of sardines annually from Lambourn, who catches them just 10 miles from the park. The switch means fresher food for the penguins and fewer miles traveled by their meals.

The arrangement has won over even the park's pickiest eater. Spneb, a 38-year-old Humboldt penguin believed to be the world's oldest in captivity, recently celebrated her birthday with a feast of Cornish sardines, her favorite food.

The Ripple Effect

This simple swap shows how local connections can create wins that ripple outward. The penguins get fresher, tastier food while the park supports local fishermen and reduces transportation needs.

"It's great to see a local catch being used locally," Lambourn said, adding that the penguins have "excellent taste." Gus Caslake from the Cornish Sardine Management Association called it "a brilliant example of a local catch staying local" while showcasing the quality of Cornish sardines.

David Woolcock, curator at Paradise Park, said the team was thrilled with the new arrangement. "It's a great example of how a simple conversation can lead to a really positive change," he said.

The park has even installed a new information board beside the penguin pool, created with Cornish sardine fishermen, so visitors can learn more about what keeps these birds healthy and happy. Sometimes the best solutions are swimming right in your backyard.