Hertfordshire Zoo recently had an exciting visit from Anaïs Gallagher, daughter of Oasis legend Noel Gallagher, who stopped by to meet the zoo’s newest arrivals: two adorable African penguin chicks named Noel and Liam! The young birds, whose names pay homage to the Gallagher brothers’ famous sibling dynamic, hatched in August and have already stolen the show with their playful personalities.
Anaïs’s visit added an extra touch of charm to the day, as she spent time with zookeepers learning about the zoo’s conservation efforts and even had the chance to get up close with the cheeky chicks. Head of Birds, Tom Clark, commented on the special visit: “It’s always a pleasure to share our conservation work with visitors, especially when we can introduce them to such delightful characters like Noel and Liam. Seeing Anaïs with the penguin chicks highlighted just how much joy they bring to everyone they meet.”
In addition to meeting the penguins, Anaïs had the chance to interact with some of the zoo’s other popular residents, including the inquisitive meerkats and the famously chill capybaras. She was enchanted by the meerkats’ curious nature and equally charmed by the capybaras’ relaxed demeanor, which offered a memorable glimpse into the zoo’s diverse animal family.
These African penguin chicks are not only residents at Hertfordshire Zoo but also represent the zoo’s commitment to protecting endangered species. With fewer than 40,000 African penguins left in the wild, Hertfordshire Zoo partners with SANCOBB, a charity focused on preserving these unique birds and reintroducing them into their natural habitats.
Visitors are encouraged to come see Noel and Liam’s spirited antics firsthand, and there’s even an option to adopt one of these little stars as part of the zoo’s conservation support. Join in the fun and help protect African penguins by booking your visit or adopting today!
