A HOMESICK penguin has returned to Dudley Zoo after failing to find a friend at Exmoor Wildlife Park.

Keepers are hoping the Humboldt penguin, called Billy, will no longer be 'Billy no-mates' after moving back to Dudley after a year long move to the Devon park, as part of a European breeding programme.

Billy struggled to settle in his new home, so Wildlife Park bosses took pity on him and returned him back to his hometown, in the hope he would integrate with the rest of the colony.

However keepers at the Castle Hill site are worried as he still seems to lack confidence.

Keeper Sophie Dugmore, said: "Unfortunately, he still hasn't found a friend.

"He's two years old, so is just about mature and likes to be hand fed, but lacks confidence to fight for his fish with the other penguins, so we have to let him have a sneaky snack instead."

She added: "We hope he will settle down soon. He swims with the juvenile penguins at the moment, but we hope he will get used to mixing with the adult penguins soon."