A PENGUIN at a zoo in East Yorkshire has enjoyed worldwide coverage of her 30th birthday celebrations.

Rosie, a Humboldt penguin at the zoo at Sewerby Hall and Gardens near Bridlington turned 30 last week.

Coverage of Rosie’s achievement – and of her care, led by head zookeeper John Pickering – led to Rosie being featured on CBS News and ABC News in the USA, as well as Good Morning America.

Rosie has also featured on media and social media in Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, and John Pickering was interviewed on Newstalk Radio across Ireland. In addition, Rosie was wished a happy birthday by Lorraine Kelly on Good Morning Britain on ITV, was featured in Hello! magazine, and enjoyed coverage in a swathe of publications in all four home nations, as well as more local coverage.

Head zookeeper John Pickering said: “ We have been blown away by the level of international interest in Rosie reaching this great milestone! It is obviously a real shame that we can’t let the public in at the moment to share her birthday celebrations, but I am very pleased that we have been to share her birthday around the world!”

Marie Gascoigne, general manager of Sewerby Hall and Gardens, added: “I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to put Sewerby Hall and Gardens on the international map, thanks to the great achievements of our team at the zoo, and we look forward to being able to welcome the public back in the future to see Rosie and all the other animals in our now world –famous zoo!”

Reaching the great age of 30 is a real achievement, both for Rosie and the zoo staff who look after her. Life expectancy of Humboldt penguins in the wild is 15-20, and Rosie is believed to be one of the oldest penguins in the UK.

During the current closure period, staff at the zoo are still working hard to look after the animals, and are also regularly posting updates and videos of daily life in the zoo. Follow Sewerby Hall and Gardens on facebook to keep up to date.