Chester fans annoyed as zoo names cute penguins after fierce rivals

Humboldt penguins at Chester Zoo have been causing controversy. Picture: Neil Turner/Flickr 

Chester fans have been left miffed and bemused by a zoo's decision to name its new penguin chicks after Wrexham's Hollywood owners.

The two adorable Humboldt penguin chicks hatched a little earlier in the year and have now naturally shed their fuzzy grey baby feathers and embarked on a new adventure – swimming lessons with Chester Zoo's 45-strong adult colony.

But there's been controversy over their names. 

The zoo said in a bid to raise more awareness of the iconic birds, its conservationists have "paid homage to one of their favourite local football teams and named the duo after Wrexham AFC’s owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney".

Unhappy fans of National League Norther Chester, see League Two Wrexham as fierce rivals, have been having their say.

According to Cheshire Live, one fan said: "So weird when the city has its own football team, and those guys are the owners of its hated rivals."

Another said: "Did you miss that you're in a City with its own club? So much for your 'local community engagement'.

"Your local community who got behind the zoo and raised funds for you. Pathetic."

Chester Zoo said the names "were just a bit of fun".

Zoe Sweetman, team manager of penguins and parrots at the zoo, said: "Our team enjoy choosing a different theme for naming the chicks to help raise some much-needed attention for the species.

"We’ve previously had brands of crisps, chocolate bars and types of fruit.

"This year we decided to name the two new male arrivals after Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan (Reynolds) and Rob (McElhenney).

"They’re both so full of personality and charisma – so it seemed rather fitting. Their diving skills are already spot on.”

Humboldt penguins, classed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, are native to the coasts of Chile and Peru in South America and are known for their charismatic personalities and unique black and white markings.

The zoo hopes the names will help spread some "much-needed awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and inspire more people to take small, daily steps in playing an active role in protecting the future of species like the Humboldt penguin".

Key factors contributing to the penguins' decline include overfishing, habitat destruction and pollution, as well as climate change.

On top of that, human encroachment on their nesting sites disrupts their colonies, putting further pressure on the species.