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'Penguin Picassos' at Dingle aquarium take up painting during lockdown

Penguins at an aquarium in Co Kerry have turned their flippers to painting during the latest lock...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

11.55 12 Jan 2021


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'Penguin Picassos' at Dingle a...

'Penguin Picassos' at Dingle aquarium take up painting during lockdown

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

11.55 12 Jan 2021


Share this article


Penguins at an aquarium in Co Kerry have turned their flippers to painting during the latest lockdown.

The staff at Oceanworld in Dingle wanted to find a way to keep the aquatic birds busy while visitors are restricted.

The solution? Let the penguins explore their artistic side.

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Louise Overy, animal manager at the aquarium, told Newstalk Breakfast that penguins love people and have really miss the public being able to visit.

'Penguin Picassos' at Dingle aquarium take up painting during lockdown

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The keepers have been coming up with ways to enrich the penguins' days, and they recently decided to try giving the birds paint and paper.

Penguin artists Penguin artists at Oceanworld Dingle

Louise explained: "Turns out they're naturals - we've got some real Penguin Picassos on our hands. They really, really love it.

"As soon as we put the painting mat down, they all come running over. They really love the colour yellow, actually.

"We put the watercolour paper nearby, and they run through the paint and all over the paper. You end up with this really fantastic abstract penguin footprint artwork."

She said of the 14 Gentoo penguins at the aquarium, Paddy, Sneachta and Uisce are the three particularly eager to 'rub their tail feathers all over the paper'.

The aquarium, meanwhile, is selling the penguin artwork on their website - aimed at children and adults alike.

All money raised through the sales will go towards conservation efforts.

Louise added: "Any money coming in is obviously of huge benefit... and if the penguins are having a good time doing it, that's fantastic isn't it?"

Main image: Penguin artists at Oceanworld Dingle

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