MEET Beaker and Custard - two new arrivals at Scarborough Sea Life Sanctuary who are keeping their foster parent Todd German very busy.

The attraction's senior aquarist is hand rearing the demanding penguin chicks who proved too much of a challenge for their first time parents, George and Krusty.

“It’s quite common for first-time parents to be unsuccessful,” said Todd, who has already successfully reared two Humboldt penguin chicks Rico and Skipper.

“In this case George and Krusty actually trampled and broke Custard’s egg and we had to help deliver her three days before she was due.

“Beaker hatched out normally, but mum and dad clearly had no idea about feeding or nurturing, so I’m a surrogate penguin parent yet again.”

Rico and Skipper were just a few days old when abandoned by their parents at another wildlife attraction in December 2014 before they were cared for by Todd.

They are now the most confident members of the 20-strong flock at Scarborough Sea Life’s unique walkthrough attraction Penguin Island.

Once again Todd has converted a cubicle in the Sanctuary’s seal hospital into a penguin post-natal facility, and is regularly feeding his feathered friends to help them grow.

Like Rico and Skipper before them, they also roost at Todd’s house, since they need their last feed of the day at 10pm.

“If all goes well, they will join the rest of the flock and meet the public for the first time in about two months’ time,” Todd added.