Parent penguins serenaded with violinist and red roses for Valentine's Day 'to encourage breeding'

'Every parent knows it’s hard to get time alone once a little one comes along'

Two penguins were given the full romantic treatment at the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham for Valentine's Day, serenaded by a violinist along with a scattering of red roses.

Arabel and Pablo, who had baby penguin chicks last year as part of a program to save the Gentoo penguins from extinction, enjoyed a performance by a Royal Birmingham Conservatoire violinist.

The rest of the penguins at the Centre joined the loved-up couple to also enjoy the spectacle.

“Every parent knows it’s hard to get time alone once a little one comes along,” said Jonny Rudd, Curator at the National Sea Life Centre, to the Phoenix newspaper.

“With Valentine’s Day being so close to the start of breeding season it was the perfect opportunity to treat our dedicated penguin parents, in the hope we can encourage another successful period of breeding.”