Amersham woman wins radio contest to name baby penguin for London Zoo

A WOMAN from Amersham won a competition to name a baby penguin at London Zoo yesterday.

Gail Mold won the contest, run by radio station Heart 106.2 to celebrate the opening of the brand new Penguin Beach exhibit.

Over the last week, Jamie Theakston & Harriet Scott, presenters of London’s Heart Breakfast show, have been asking listeners to name ZSL London Zoo’s newest arrival – a five-week old penguin chick, born in the Nursery Area at Penguin Beach. The name had to suit both a male or female bird as it takes approximately ten weeks to DNA test the sex of a baby penguin.

Mrs Mold, a part-time administrator with the NHS, beat hundreds of other people by suggesting the name “Heartley”.

She said she chose the name: “because it reminds me of Heart radio and it seems appropriate for such a cute little Heart penguin chick.”

Mrs Mold and her husband Andy met Heartley at the official opening of Penguin Beach which was broadcast live on Heart Breakfast yesterday morning and they were also given a grand tour of the brand new exhibit. They also won a two-week holiday to South Africa, including a trip to Cape Town and the world famous Boulders Beach penguin colony.

Mrs Mold said: “I’m so excited and thrilled to win. I just can’t believe it, it’s fantastic - and Heartley is absolutely adorable. I feel really honoured to name one of the animals at London Zoo. And to win the holiday as well is amazing!”

Heart Breakfast presenters Jamie Theakston & Harriet Scott said: “We were very honoured to officially open the brand new Penguin Beach exhibit to the public at one of London’s most popular attractions. Our congratulations go to Gail for winning the competition. We loved the name ‘Heartley’ and we are looking forward to receiving our postcard from South Africa.”