World’s oldest penguin celebrates 37th birthday— with a custom cake fit for an ice queen

New York Post - Apr 19th, 2025

Spneb, the world’s oldest Humboldt penguin, celebrated her 37th birthday at Paradise Park Zoo in Hayle, Cornwall, with a special cake made of her favorite fish, sprats, topped with a fluffy toy penguin. Born in 1988, Spneb has been a resident of the zoo since that year and has outlived the typical life expectancy of her species, which ranges between 10 to 15 years. Her keepers shared that she remains in good health and continues to have a good appetite, showcasing her remarkable longevity. The celebration was a joyful occasion, underscoring her unique status among penguins worldwide.

Spneb’s story is not just a testament to her resilience but also highlights the dedication of her caretakers at Paradise Park. Her unusual name originates from a life-saving treatment she received in 2007 for Aspergillosis, a fungal disease, which involved a drug administered via a nebuliser. As a native of South America's Pacific coasts, her prolonged life reflects well on the care provided by the zoo. The event emphasizes the role of zoos in wildlife conservation and the importance of meticulous care in extending the lives of their inhabitants, offering insights into the potential for similar cases in other species.

Wildlife Conservation Spneb Paradise Park Zoo Humboldt Penguin Becky Waite Cornwall

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The story about Spneb, the world's oldest Humboldt penguin, is a well-crafted human-interest piece that effectively highlights a unique and heartwarming milestone. It scores high in accuracy, clarity, and readability, presenting a clear narrative supported by credible sources from Paradise Park. While the story is engaging and timely, it could benefit from additional perspectives and transparency regarding the verification of Spneb's age. The article's potential impact is limited, serving more as an entertaining and informative piece rather than one driving significant public discourse or policy change. Overall, it successfully captures the reader's attention with its charming subject matter and well-structured presentation.

Accuracy

The story about Spneb, the oldest Humboldt penguin, is largely accurate. It correctly states that Spneb is considered the world's oldest Humboldt penguin at 37 years old, a claim supported by records from zoos globally. The article accurately mentions the typical life expectancy of Humboldt penguins as 10 to 15 years, highlighting the significance of Spneb's age. However, claims about her health and appetite, while plausible, would require direct verification through medical records or observations. Additionally, the story of Spneb's name origin is interesting but would benefit from corroboration with historical records from the zoo.

Balance

The article maintains a balanced perspective, focusing primarily on the celebratory aspect of Spneb's 37th birthday. It highlights the penguin's remarkable longevity and her life at Paradise Park. However, the story could benefit from including perspectives from other experts or zookeepers who might provide additional insights into the care and conditions contributing to Spneb's longevity. The article avoids bias, presenting the information in a straightforward manner without undue emphasis on any particular viewpoint.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with clear and concise language that makes it easy to understand. The structure logically presents information about Spneb's birthday celebration, her age, and her history. The tone is neutral and appropriate for a light-hearted human-interest story, making it accessible to a general audience. The use of specific details, such as the type of fish in the cake and the origin of her name, adds to the narrative's clarity.

Source quality

The article relies on information from Paradise Park and Spneb's keepers, who are credible sources regarding her life and care. However, the story would be strengthened by including additional sources such as independent experts on Humboldt penguins or conservation organizations. These sources could provide broader context on penguin longevity and the significance of Spneb's age in the wider zoological community.

Transparency

The article provides basic context about Spneb's life and her birthday celebration but lacks detailed explanations of how the age verification was conducted. It does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or the methodology behind the claim of Spneb being the oldest Humboldt penguin. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance the credibility and reliability of the story.