Bald penguin given wetsuit to prevent sunburn

When Ralph the penguin lost his feathers it looked like he wouldn't be able to swim with his friends at Marwell Wildlife - until he was fitted for a mini wetsuit to stop him getting sunburn. Unlike all his fellow Humboldt penguins, who lose their old feathers over a few weeks to make way for a fresh set, Ralph's fell out in just one day.

And with nothing to protect him from the weather he was at risk of severe sun burn. He faced spending a depressing three weeks indoors, away from his group and his young chicks.



But keepers took pity on him and fashioned his own wetsuit from the leg of a suit which was donated by a member of staff's husband. The nine-year-old penguin couldn't be happier with his new clothes, which have caused a stir at his enclosure in Marwell Wildlife, near Winchester, Hants.



Helen Jeffreys, from Marwell Wildlife, said: "Ralph's really taken to his new suit, he's doing really well. He doesn't really seem to notice the difference - he's swimming around the enclosure with all the other penguins as usual.

"All the other penguins, on the other hand, were intrigued by his new clothes they spent a good while checking him out. But when they realised it was still Ralph under the suit they seemed quite happy and don't really pay it any attention anymore."