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Iceland Supermarket Adopts All Of The Humboldt Penguins At Chester Zoo

June 9, 2020

Iceland supermarket has adopted all of the Humboldt penguins at a zoo in Cheshire, England, to help the struggling zoo keep from closing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK government has ordered that the Chester Zoo may have to stay closed indefinitely.

The frozen food retailer has also agreed to lobby the UK government on the zoo's behalf, encouraging current legislation to be amended to allow zoos to open with strict social distancing guidance in place.

Although the penguins are not from Iceland, the bird epitomises all things frozen - which is why the supermarket agreed it would be the most appropriate way to support the zoo during such a difficult and stressful time.

"We were all saddened to hear of Chester Zoo's recent struggles; it's the heart of the local community in Chester and a much loved family favourite – I remember visiting the zoo as a child and my own kids love going there," said Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland Foods.

"We're proud to be able to lend them our support both through the adoption of the Humboldt penguins on behalf of our colleagues, and by lobbying in support of zoos being allowed to reopen soon. The conservation work undertaken by the zoo is vital and along with the park itself reopening it is incredibly important that this amazing work is able to continue."

The zoo has also launched a JustGiving page and raised more than £2,400,000 in public donations.

"We're heading towards debt in excess of £24m by the end of 2020 – this will financially cripple us. We need to raise £1.6m each month to keep going," the zoo said in a statement.

The Chester Zoo currently cares for more than 35,000 threatened and critically endangered animals.