Fourteen rare penguins have been moved from the Curraghs Wildlife Park in Ballaugh to a new home in Northern Ireland.

The waddle of Humboldt penguins included 10 chicks hatched in 2020, and four that hatched the previous year, as part of an internationally-recognised breeding programme.

The move, one that had been months in the making, comes after the Curraghs Wildlife Park enjoyed a record year for the South American species, which is classed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

General manager Kathleen Graham said: ’We are thrilled that they have arrived at their new home at the Exploris aquarium in Portaferry, and proud to do our bit to expand the captive population.

’A move like this would be challenging at the best of times but the added obstacles of the pandemic and Brexit have made the planning particularly complex, but seeing pictures of them in their new pool made it all worthwhile.

’It has been a real team effort and I would like to thank everyone involved.’

The penguins have now moved into a new salt water pool and will continue to be part of the European Endangered Species breeding programme.

Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, which manages the park, said: ’I must congratulate everyone that has helped to make this possible in such difficult times.

’Not only does our Wildlife Park protect species and contribute to breeding programmes but through fundraising efforts it delivers direct help in the wild - where it is most needed.’

Last year the Curraghs team raised more than £2,000 to help with projects in the wild where numbers are possibly as low as 12,000 and in decline.

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