Dudley Zoo welcomes 21 new penguins after deadly malaria outbreak

Dudley Zoo increased its Humboldt penguin numbers with 21 new arrivals

A zoo has received 21 new penguins after an outbreak of Avian malaria killed more than 90% of its colony.

The spread of the disease in January 2022 killed 65 of the zoo's 70 Humboldt penguins.

Dudley Zoo had gradually been rebuilding the colony since the outbreak with five new arrivals between March and October.

The latest 21 additions, from South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, bolstered the zoo's penguin colony to 31.

The new Humboldts were a mix of sexes and ages and joined the 10 residents birds, a spokesperson for the zoo said.

Prior to the Avian malaria outbreak, the zoo had one of the largest self-sustained colonies in the country as it bred Humboldt penguins for 30 years.

The zoo's colony began with five hand-reared chicks in 1991 and had helped boost groups at collections around the country.