Red-White Turns 30!

Our oldest penguin is not only the senior member of the zoo’s African penguin colony but also one of the oldest individuals of her species in Europe—and even globally. Known affectionately as Red-White, or simply Red, based on her identification tag, she hatched on December 22, 1994, at Amsterdam Zoo. That means she’ll celebrate her 30th birthday tomorrow!

In the wild, African penguins rarely live beyond 15-20 years, and even in zoos, reaching three decades is an extraordinary milestone. Red-White’s impressive age is comparable to that of a 90-100-year-old human. Despite this, she remains in relatively good health, though her movements reflect her age. Since she prefers not to compete for fish during feedings, her keepers ensure she gets her fair share of food. Generally, she is a reserved and calm animal, avoiding any “drama.” She shares her life peacefully with her partner, Rico, a male penguin more than nine years younger.

Longevity among zoo animals is relatively common due to the high standard of care they receive in modern zoological facilities. Unlike their counterparts in the wild, where survival is a daily struggle, zoo animals benefit from expert care provided by keepers and veterinarians. This leads to longer lifespans, improved breeding success, and significantly higher survival rates among offspring compared to those in the wild. This is also why zoo breeding programs play a critical role in conserving species that are severely endangered in their natural habitats.

Among our penguins, however, it’s not just the elderly that make headlines. Recently, we reported on our website about one of the youngest additions to the colony—a chick that hatched just a short time ago.