Latest news with #Issy
Edinburgh Reporter
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Oldest rockhopper in town
Keepers at Edinburgh Zoo recently celebrated their oldest penguin when Northern rockhopper Nestor turned 32 years old. The 20 inch tall penguin has been dubbed 'oldest rocker in town' — and he even has a mate exactly half his age. The oldest penguin of any kind at Edinburgh Zoo, he is also believed to be currently the third longest-lived rockhopper penguin in the world. Nestor celebrated his birthday chilling out in the shade in the attraction's Penguins Rock, with his long term mate, 16 year old Issy. Edinburgh Zoo animal keeper Katherine Burnet, said: 'Nestor is a really nice boy and our oldest penguin. 'At the ripe old age of 32 now, he can be a little slower than some of the other penguins in the colony, but he's lovely to work with. 'It's amazing to think he's the third oldest rockhopper in the world. He's already lived over twice the lifespan of a rockhopper in the wild.' Rockhoppers are among the smallest penguins, easily recognised by their bright yellow head plumage and red eyes. The species has declined by 90 per cent in the wild since the 1950s and is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Nestor hatched in France in 1993 and also spent time in Belgium before coming to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) attraction in 2006. He can be identified among the other rockhoppers in his colony by the unique blue and pink coloured band on his right wing. Nestor can be found spending most of his time around the pool with long term partner Issy. They can be seen waddling around their enclosure or preening one another on their nesting ring in a shaded area to the rear of the colony. Katherine said: 'Nestor and Issy have been pair bonded for a few years now and he takes really good care of her. There may be a 16 year age gap but they make a really sweet couple. 'They tend to go around the enclosure together and wherever you see one you often find the other. They have certain spots they frequent. 'Nestor is quite a chilled out boy. He tends to avoid any drama going on in the colony, although he can be quite protective of Issy and he will tell the youngsters off if they come too close to his nest. 'He's also pretty smart so when it's sunny or hot you'll find him in the shade keeping cool.' Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 100 Gentoo, Northern rockhopper and King penguins. The attraction is famed for its Penguin Parade, which first took place in 1951 when a keeper accidentally left the gate open and a few curious penguins left the enclosure. The parade became a much-loved daily ritual until March 2020, when it was stopped to avoid people gathering in large crowds during Covid. The Zoo now hosts the 'Wee Waddle', a reimagined version, which is completely voluntary. Penguins are not coerced into taking part or leaving their enclosure. There is also a small, 'penguin-sized' fence separating the birds from visitors along the short route. Edinburgh was previously home to the world's oldest rockhopper penguin. Mrs Wolowitz was killed by a fox that broke into the enclosure in 2022, just months after she celebrated her 35th birthday. The world's oldest rockhopper is now thought to be 34-year-old JT in Moody Gardens, Texas, a year older than 33-year-old female Janet who lives at Montreal Biodome in Canada, and two years older than Edinburgh's Nestor. Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson Keeper Katherine Burnet PHOTO Alan Simpson The penguin enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wimborne woman organises fayre to raise funds for cancer research
IN A bid to represent Dorset in a national competition, a Wimborne woman has organised a charity fundraising fayre at the end of this month Issy Johnson, 19, from Wimborne, is one of 10 finalists for the Miss Dorset competition and hopes to represent the county on a national level while also raising money for Cancer Research UK. She said: 'I never thought I'd get to where I am now so to get to the next level would be amazing. As part of her pageantry and to give back to the community, she has organised a family friendly fayre to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a cause she said is 'close to her heart'. Read more: Pub announces music lineup for Wimborne Folk Festival 2025 Issy Johnson (Image: Issy Johnson) The fayre will be held on Sunday May 31 and Monday June 1 in Conels on Haslop Road, a private garden hosting its first ever event. She said 'Cancer affects everyone. I know people that have died from cancer or are suffering from it and I just want to help as much as I can.' The fundraiser will have live music, including performance from authentic tribute band 'The Beatles Experience', local artists and activities for children to take part in. She previously entered the competition in Surrey and is hoping to exceed the £2,000 she raised last year. Despite being born and raised in Wimborne, Issy said she has not had an 'average' childhood. See also: Purbeck Cider Company launches first non-alcoholic cider After leaving school at the age of nine-years-old, she travelled all over the world with her family, spending time in countries like the United States, Japan and Russia. She added her experiences living abroad helped her 'become more adaptable and open-minded' and 'pushed' her to 'connect with different types of people', skills she hope will aid her in the competition. However, she said since she and her family have returned home, she has been 'more invested in the community'. The winner will of the regional competition will be announced on Sunday, August 3, at the Village Hotel in Bournemouth. The successful Miss Dorset will then go on to represent the county in Miss Great Britain 2025, with the national Miss Great Britain 2025 final taking place on Friday October 17. The Miss Great Britain is a national beauty contest held annually in Britain since 1945 and is Britain's longest-running beauty pageant.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sight loss didn't stop me becoming a Sea Cadet
Issy always dreamed of joining her big brother as a sea joined the Loughborough branch in Leicestershire two days after her 10th birthday - the official joining age - and was hooked from the first at the age of 13, Issy's life changed when she suffered a deterioration in her sight overnight, leaving doctors mystified."I just woke up one day and my vision was super blurry," she said. "I've been to hospital, had checks with my brain and they can't find anything." Issy explained she was released from medical care after a few years and "felt lost".She added: "I thought it was going to change everything at cadets, I'll be a health and safety risk - but the staff were really good, they said 'What can we do to help?'"Issy, now 16, said that prior to becoming visually impaired she had "loved" her work with the cadets, adding: "You're learning in such a fun way you don't feel like you're learning, whilst at school it's so stressful. "The tests you have to do, they make it seem so easy and do it in such a relaxed way."It was the cadets which helped her after her eyesight deteriorated, as they let her join in all activities, even on the water. "Boating I thought was going to be like end game and I was going to have to sit on the side," she said. "But no, it was really good, I always have someone to help me and they say 'Let's just get on with it, we'll learn from our mistakes and keep going'. "Now I've done every qualification I can do on the water".Issy has had to adapt to her visual impairment in other areas, but, like her sea cadet career, she has continued to thrive. She has just completed her First Aid at Work course and is getting ready to take her GCSEs. At school, she uses large print to help her see the work. Her biggest problem is at night."In the dark, I can only see silhouettes and I can't tell who people are," she said. "I use a cane now to help me."She has also praised the cadets for the adjustments they have made. They painted white lines on all the steps and put glow in the dark tape around all the light added: "At first, at age 13 it was difficult, but I've learned to live with it. I had no idea what it would be like for the rest of my life. I've just tried to get on with it." Now, Issy is helping her branch of the sea cadets by trying to encourage other people to come forward and volunteer. The charity is having to turn away children because it does not have enough volunteers to support new Thorpe, from the Loughborough branch, said the group wants to "positively change the lives of more youngsters in the area".He added Issy has been an inspiration and wanted to share her story "from having her world turned upside down when she woke up partially blind, to being made to feel like anyone else, thanks to volunteers."
