Jihoon Lee -- penguins in the UK have always lived at outdoor ambient temperatures. It is likely that our island climate never gets too hot for them, unlike a continental setting. Having said that, I'm not sure thany UK zoo has maintained a self sustaining population of KIngs. I believe Edinburgh's Gentoos have produced a surplus of offspring for export over many years.
Jihoon Lee -- penguins in the UK have always lived at outdoor ambient temperatures. It is likely that our island climate never gets too hot for them, unlike a continental setting. Having said that, I'm not sure thany UK zoo has maintained a self sustaining population of KIngs. I believe Edinburgh's Gentoos have produced a surplus of offspring for export over many years.
Birdland had steady breeding results, through the 00s. I would say comparable if not better than most freezer box exhibits of the same group size. However the sex ratio of young produced was heavily one-sided.
My opinion is that it was a shame that the remaining individuals from other failing UK zoo populations could not have been added to this relatively succesful group.
I think a lot of breeding success is down to the number and in part ratio of individuals as is often seen with other species such as pelican, flamingo groups. Edinburgh's Gentoos is a good example.
Also the Falkland Islands may not be the warmest place, but it is certainly not a land of snow and ice either. The UKs coldest days are colder than those of the Falkland Islands. The same island climate FBBird mentions also applies in reverse.
