Cornwall penguin: The 'oldest Humboldt in Europe' turns 36

A Cornish wildlife park has celebrated the 36th birthday of what is thought to be Europe's oldest Humboldt penguin.

Spneb, a resident of the penguin colony at Paradise Park in Hayle, celebrated her big day with a "fishcake" - a celebratory cake with fish in it.

Keeper Becky Waite said Spneb "still has a boyfriend" and her age is not slowing her down.

Humboldt penguins, which are native to south America, typically only live between 15 to 20 years in the wild.

Ms Waite said: "In captivity, they can be a bit older because when things stop working we can give them anything to help them along.

"Generally they get to about 30, so to get up to 36 is an incredible age."

After arriving in May 1988 from Birdworld Farnham and spending most of her life in Cornwall, Spneb has benefitted from veterinary care at the wildlife park to help her through to her old age.

The female penguin got her current nickname from the medication used to treat a fungal problem she developed in 2007.

She was named after her treatment programme, which initially consisted of drug sporanox (Sp) and a nebuliser (neb).

Ms Waite said the penguin had become "quite wise in her old age".

She said: "She likes to check everybody out and she makes sure that the group is keeping out of mischief."

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