Birdland mourns death of one of Europe's oldest penguins

Birdland Park and Gardens is mourning the death of one of its oldest residents, Lily the king penguin.

Lily hatched in 1992 and became of the best-breeding king penguins the park has reared, raising eight chicks in total.

Staff at Birdland have described her as a very petite penguin, recognisable for testing her food by nibbling it first, before swallowing her lunch.

She continued to lay eggs until two years ago, when her health first began to deteriorate.

She passed away last week, aged 31.

Simon Cox, general manager of the Bourton-on-the-Water attraction, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Lily here at Birdland.

“She was one of Europe’s oldest female King Penguins.

“Over the past two years, she began to slow down with a mild form of arthritis and had begun to form cataracts in both eyes, however, she was always responsive to light and movement and was able to get around Penguin Shore and Pool with ease.

“We’d like to thank Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital for all their support with health checks and medication for Lily, and the keepers at Birdland for all their love and care.”

Lily (right) with her son Frank (Image: Birdland)