Penguin police prepare to patrol

Patrollers protect the penguins from over-excited visitors

Two new recruits have begun training for a rather unusual job in Devon.

Kate Hall and Kim Jayne have been employed as penguin patrollers at Living Coasts in Torquay.

Dozens of African and macaroni penguins are allowed to roam freely and mingle with visitors and are often seen waddling down the footpaths.

The new patrollers have joined a team who try to ensure visitors do not get over-excited and start trying to pick up penguins.

Living Coasts spokesperson Phil Knowling said: "The penguins have no fear and are quite happy to investigate shoe laces, handbags and toggles on coats.

No 'bird brains'

"It's an amazing experience to go walking with penguins, you can get really close.

"We just need to make sure people don't get over-excited and try to chase or pet the birds."

Mr Knowling said patrollers have to be friendly, confident, outgoing but sensible.

"Bird brains need not apply," he added.

One of the experienced patrollers, Sue Abrahams, said it was one of the best jobs in the world, but it had a serious side.

"We have to remind people not to touch the birds," she said.

"Our penguins spend a lot of time preening - if people were to touch their feathers they would remove the oil coating and affect their waterproofing."