Sewerby Hall and Gardens zoo has announced the sad death of Rosie who is known as the world’s oldest Humboldt penguin,
Rosie passed away in her sleep on Friday 10th March at the age of 32 years old, just a few weeks short of her 33rd birthday. Rosie joined the Sewerby zoo family back in 1990 when head zookeeper John Pickering picked Rosie and her partner Dion up at four months old from Birdworld Surrey.
The pair along with Pingu and Penny ensured the popularity of the penguins at the Yorkshire Coast zoo. The penguins were all bred in captivity and played a key role in the zoo’s breeding programme as Humboldt penguins are classed as vulnerable to extinction in the wild.
Speaking of the oldest penguin death in Yorkshire head zookeeper John Pickering said: “We are all devastated by the loss of Rosie. I myself have been with her since she was four months old and we have spent 32 years of our lives together in one way or another through all of life’s trials and tribulations.
“The rest of the team have always had a very special place in their hearts for Rosie too, as do many of the other staff and visitors who have always enjoyed watching Rosie at feeding time and often asked how she is doing.
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“It has been an absolute joy for all of us on the team to look after her over so many years, and to see how she herself has looked after her chicks. It is such a big loss for the zoo and she is going to be greatly missed by all.”
The average of this breed of penguin is 15 to 20 years so Rosie was a unique penguin and became quite the star appearing on a range of shows across the world including for her 30th birthday.
A highlight being Lorraine Kelly wishing her a Happy Birthday.
In recent years, Rosie became a star of media and social media across the world. On her 30th birthday in 2020, she was featured on CBS News and ABC News in the USA, as well as Good Morning America.
Sewerby Hall zoo will be holding a special tribute to the penguin inviting the public to share their memories and photos of Rosie on social media using the hashtag #RememberingRosie.
You can visit Rosie’s offspring Twinnine, Webster and Flip Flop and her first grandchild Pickle at the zoo along with Toby, Pikachu and Sigsbee.
Visit the zoo’s garden here.
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Feature Image Credit: Sewerby Hall and Gardens Zoo
