Heartbreak as Devon zoo loses ALL its penguins to malaria

A Devon zoo is mourning the loss of its entire penguin collection after an outbreak of avian malaria wiped them all out.

Staff at Exmoor Zoo revealed the devastating news that the ten birds - Buster, Newquay, Ludo, Percy, Lemmy, Truddle, Owlie, Blossom, Friendly and Arthur - all died during the outbreak.

Some of the birds had been with the zoo since it first opened in 1982.

Staff were particularly devastated as they had hand-reared some of the penguins since birth and had developed a close bond with them.

Danny Reynolds, living collection manager at the zoo, said: “They are being keenly missed, especially by those keepers who have given significant years to their care over time.”

Tragic: The penguins at Exmoor Zoo all died from avian malaria (Facebook/Exmoor Zoo)

He said that they are uncertain if more penguins will be brought in to replace the ones that died, adding: “Exmoor Zoo has always had penguins on display and we are very carefully considering whether we should try and exhibit them again.

“The disease may never strike again for another 25 years or more but could just as easily occur again next year - it all depends on what birds migrate through the avian malaria areas in Africa and if they visit Exmoor.

“If we do, then a lot of care will be given to any possible prophylactic treatments and stocks of the anti-malarial drugs will be available.”

Top pic: Facebook/Exmoor Zoo