Getting into p-p-p-practice for two of the most unusual jobs in Pembrokeshire are Catrin Thomas and Caroline Davies.

The pair of former Pembrokeshire College students are to be the new penguin keepers at Folly Farm.

The attraction is investing £500,000 in its penguin project, which includes a state-of-the-art saltwater pool environment to house 15 Humboldt penguins, which is due to open to the public by Easter.

The duo have been busy preparing for this Friday’s arrival of the first five penguins to Folly Farm and their training has included a visit to Newquay Zoo, with more work experience planned with penguin keepers at Chester Zoo.

Caroline, a graduate from Pembrokeshire College’s animal care department, has been a zoo keeper at Folly Farm for some time, while Catrin is a more recent recruit to the team.

She studied for a foundation degree in animal science and was offered a full-time position at the zoo after completing her college work placement there.

“I’m so excited about the arrival of the penguins,” said Catrin, who lives in Laugharne.

“I always wanted to work with penguins, and I just can’t wait to get into the daily routine of caring for them.

“They are such fun little characters with amazing personalities, that I just know they will be a real hit with the visitors to Folly Farm.”

Catrin’s appointment is hailed as ‘a real success story’ for Pembrokeshire College’s animal care department by its head, Alwyn Griffiths.

“Jobs like the one Catrin has secured are very rare in Pembrokeshire,” he said.

“The partnership we have developed with Folly Farm is vital to the career prospects of our students – not only in terms of them recruiting students from the course, but also in providing work placements and on-site teaching opportunities for them to gain experience of a wide variety of exotic animals.”