These pedestrians have got happy feet after zoo keepers installed the world's first zebra crossing for penguins.

Staff at Living Coasts in Torquay, Devon, asked the local council to paint the black and white markings to improve safety.

The attraction's colony of 80 African penguins regularly use a public thoroughfare during feeding time.

Every day the birds cross a wide footpath as they make their way from Penguin Beach to meet a keeper.

Staff noticed the excited animals were bumping into visitors and so installed the zebra crossing to keep therm in order.

They have now learned to use the crossing and are a regular sight waddling across the road in line.

The crossing even has miniature red triangular warning signs - complete with penguins.

Senior Head Keeper Tony Durkin said: "We believe this is the world's first zebra crossing for penguins.

"Our penguins are only 2ft tall and when they see the bucket and their keeper they do tend to get excited.

"It's hard to teach a penguin road safety, but the zebra crossing does alert visitors to the fact that the birds cross there.

"They live on Penguin Beach but are fed in the public area which means a fair bit of to-ing and fro-ing.

"The crossing has been put down to show visitors where the penguins cross the public walkway and to emphasise the need to take care.

"It was a road safety issue so we asked the council to help by bringing in the road painter.

"The crossing is working well despite the fact that it involves black and white birds using a black and white crossing."


Cllr Chris Lewis, of Torbay Council, said the council had used a road marker to install the crossing.

He said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Living Coasts particularly highlighting the importance of safer crossing points."