News
The ‘Macaroni Mafia’ has landed at Folly Farm
A BACHELOR group of four macaroni penguins has arrived at Folly Farm. Named after gangsters, the ‘Macaroni Mafia’ is made up of Tony the Don, 13, Vinny the Voice, 7, Frankie the Fish, 5, and Little Nico, 3.
The group of males moved to Folly Farm from Living Coasts zoo and aquarium in Torquay. They’ve already made their mark at Folly Farm where the four now live in harmony with the zoo’s existing group of Humboldt penguins at Penguin Coast, Folly Farm’s £500,000, state-of-the-art penguin habitat set over two acres.
Best known for its distinctive yellow crest feathers and prominent orange beak, the macaroni penguin is a large species of penguin found in the Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic Peninsula. Its common name is thought to have been inspired by its crest feathers; the term ‘Macaroni’ was used in 18th-century Britain to describe a man whose style of dress was flamboyant and excessively ornamented.
Macaroni penguins live on cliffs and rocky areas above the ocean and get around by hopping, rather than waddling. Larger than the Humboldt species, an adult macaroni penguin has an average length of around 70 cm. Male and females are similar in appearance although females tend to be smaller. Macaroni penguins can live up to 20 years.
Although it’s one of the most numerous species of penguin, macaroni numbers have decreased by an estimated 30% over the last 30 years. The species is classed as vulnerable, meaning it’s likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival – climate change, commercial fishing and oil pollution – improve.
Folly Farm is one of only three zoos in Europe home macaroni penguins and is currently on the waiting list for females to begin its own conservation breeding programme.
Catrin Thomas, penguin keeper at Folly Farm, said: “We’ve really been looking forward to the arrival of the macaroni penguins and it’s been great getting to know their personalities over the past few weeks. They definitely live up to their namesake – they’re a very proud species and spend a lot of time preening, but they’re also very gentle and a real pleasure to work with.
“Tony is definitely the Don. You can tell the others really admire him, they all follow his lead. Vinny is the vainest one of the group, he loves looking in the mirror and likes to help clean the enclosure by chasing after the brushes. Nicky fancies himself a bit of a stud, he likes to show off on the rock in the middle of the pool, and Frankie spends most of his time following Tony around learning the ropes. They’re really good friends and they’re settling in well.
“It’s also really satisfying to know that, in taking on this group of surplus males from Living Coasts, we’re helping in the conservation of a vulnerable species of penguin. We’re looking forward to introducing them to the public and hope our visitors love them as much as we do!”
For further information please visit www.folly-farm.co.uk search Folly Farm on Facebook www.facebook.com/FollyFarm and follow @follyfarmwales on Twitter.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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