WW2 veteran fulfils dream of feeding penguins at the age of 103

A WW2 veteran has finally fulfilled her dream of feeding penguins - at the age of 103. Beryl Kitchen, from Chadlington, Oxfordshire, served in the Royal Corps of Signals during the war. As a late birthday present, she visited Cotswolds Wildlife Park where she enjoyed a day of feeding penguins.

Debbie Ryan, a representative of Cotswolds Wildlife Park, told the Express that Beryl was originally meant to visit the park in 2023, but it was postponed, so staff were "thrilled" when Beryl's family said that she would like to do a penguin feed.

"Beryl was a natural with all the animals, all the penguins went to her straight away," Debbie told the Express. The park's oldest penguin, named Puff, aged 27 years old, especially took a shine to Beryl, who was made an honorary keeper.

Beryl will also have a chick named after her. Debbie added.

She said: "We are naming the latest chick after Beryl, which is rare. She's the first visitor to have that."

Beryl was joined by her daughter, Penny Pumfrey. She said the staff at the wildlife park were "absolutely brilliant and accommodating", and will be expecting to see them again soon.

The feed took place at 11 am and was followed by a tour around the park, during which they saw baby camels and rhinoceroses.

Describing her mum as an animal lover, Penny shared that Beryl had already fed giraffes before, so who knows what could be next?

However, another trip to feed the penguins is certainly on the cards, especially now one of the babies is her namesake.

Penny said they could go back in October to celebrate her mum's 104th birthday, but they will definitely return when Beryl the penguin is out of the nest. "It's a good excuse to go back, not that we need one anyway," she added.

Beryl has drawn quite a lot of attention following the adorable moment between her and the penguins. When asked how her mum feels about the whole experience, Penny shared that "she's [Beryl] becoming quite famous", adding that it's been "the highlight of her year".