Page 9 - Ratel 2023 Summer

Ratel volume 50, issue number 2

ABWAK’S Penguin Workshop
Association of British and Irish
Wild Animal Keepers
REVIEW at Woburn Safari Park

by Charlotte Jones

As a newly appointed Humboldt penguin keeper at Colchester Zoo, kick off the day with my presentation on bumble foot in penguins
I was keen to learn more about my new charges and, as anyone who and I hope many of the keepers there benefited from the presentation,
has attended an ABWAK workshop before knows, this is a really it being a hot topic amongst penguins keepers. I benefited so much
good place to start. I contacted Hannah Slaney (a member of the from all the other great presentations: we heard about hand-rearing
ABWAK council committee) to enquire as to whether there were any from ZSL London Zoo, filtration from Drusillas, the box ramp from
plans for a workshop that would relate to my new role. At the time, Peak Wildlife Park, Humboldt penguins from Welsh Mountain Zoo
there were no plans for a penguin workshop or something similar, so and the breeding success of Edinburgh Zoo. After this, half of the
Hannah asked me if I would like to help her make this happen. I was group had their tour of the penguin habitat at Woburn whilst I ran
delighted as not only would I get a chance to learn all about penguins the enrichment workshop. It was great to see everyone getting
and network with many penguin keepers, but I would be able to be involved and sharing ideas on enrichment they have used for their
a big part in making that happen. It was the first ever workshop I had penguins. After lunch, the groups swapped over and some great
been involved with helping to organise so luckily I had Hannah to enrichment was made. Then it was quiz time! Everyone was able to
guide me on what we needed to arrange for the workshop. participate using an app on their phones and the top three penguin
enthusiasts won some penguins prizes. The afternoon was also filled
Firstly, we set a date of the 25th April 2023 so we had many months with presentations on natural enclosure design by Woburn Safari
to bring the workshop together. Then we needed a venue. Catherine Park, rockhopper chicks by ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, fairy penguins by
Doherty (Deputy Head of Section, Animal Encounters at Woburn Weymouth Sealife and African penguins by Artis Zoo.
Safari Park) was more than happy to jump on board and host the
event; with Woburn having recently made enclosure modifications Overall, the day was a great success. It ran smoothly thanks to the
to the current penguin habitat. This seemed like the perfect place to team at Woburn Safari Park and I hope everyone who attended
hold the workshop. enjoyed the day as much as I did. I would like to say thank you to
Hannah Slaney (a member of the ABWAK council committee) for
Next, we began inviting speakers to the event. All three of us were letting me help her arrange the workshop, Catherine Doherty (Deputy
able to invite keepers from across the UK to speak for us about ‘all Head of Section, Animal Encounters at Woburn Safari Park) for
things penguin’. I personally approached Edinburgh Zoo, as I had hosting and co-organising, Rebecca Moore (Zoo Director, Colchester
heard of their amazing work in breeding gentoo and Northern Zoo) for allowing me to organise and present at the workshop and
rockhopper penguins. I also invited ZSL London Zoo to talk about my team at Colchester Zoo for their support and help with the
hand rearing. West Midland Safari Park have recently been recognised materials for my presentation. For anyone who gets the opportunity
for the amazing behavioural study carried out on their colony of to help organise a workshop with
penguins which helped them with modifying their habitat to greatly ABWAK, I would say do it.
benefit welfare. I thought this would be greatly beneficial as well. I It’s so rewarding and
had such a great response and it wasn’t long before we collectively you will have a great
had lots of speakers ready to talk about topics such as hand rearing, day surrounded by
bumble foot, mirror boxes and breeding success. p a s s i o n a t e
l i k e m i n d e d
Already this was turning out to be a very exciting workshop to be a keepers.
part of and would provide so many opportunities to learn and
network. We were also approached by a few collections asking if they
could present at the workshop too. This opened up the topics to
filtration and African penguin husbandry as well. The most incredible
thing was that word had got out to Europe that this workshop was
going to be taking place and keepers seemed keen to travel to the UK
for this event - an event that I was helping to
organise and which started out as me just
hoping to learn more about the species I
now cared for. With a schedule jam packed
with interesting talks and the opportunity
for a tour of Woburn Safari Park’s facilities,
there was also time for a group activity
where keepers could socialise whilst
making some enrichment for
penguins; it really was
going to be a full day
centred around
penguins.

The day came and
I was overwhelmed by
the turn out. We sold out of
tickets and I met many lovely people
who had travelled from different parts
of Europe to be there. I was honoured to

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