Penguin Chicks Hatch at Woodland Park Zoo

Humboldt Penguin Chicks Hatch at Woodland Park Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: April 25, 2021 11:45 pm

Two of the Humboldt penguin chicks which have hatched at the Woodland Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo have celebrated World Penguin Day, commemorated on April 25th by announcing that three Humboldt penguin chicks have hatched at the zoo.

World penguin day celebrates the 18 species of penguin with which we share the planet. All of these live in the southern hemisphere with the Humboldt penguin being found in South America.

One of the Humboldt penguin chicks which have hatched at the Woodland Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo maintain one of the most successful breeding programs for the Humboldt penguin in North America helping to boost numbers for this vulnerable species. Since the zoo first bred the species in 2010 they have welcomed 77 chicks including these three.

Penguins at the Woodland Park Zoo are paired as part of the Humboldt Penguin Species Survival Plan, a cooperative, conservation breeding program across accredited zoos to help ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of penguins.

The sex of the chicks will not be determined until a DNA test can be conducted on the chicks.

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“The parents are taking excellent care of their young and the chicks are experiencing great weight gains,” said Mark Myers, an animal curator at Woodland Park Zoo.

“Our zoo visitors are naturally drawn to our charismatic penguins. It’s one of our most dynamic exhibits where guests can see many natural penguin behaviors and smell the fine aromas of a seabird colony. We look forward to introducing our new chicks to the colony in the coming months so people become inspired to help ensure their survival into the future.”

A pair of Humboldt penguin chicks which have hatched at the Woodland Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo

Currently the penguin chicks are being cared for in off exhibit nesting burrows by their parents. Keepers ensure they are reaching growth milestones by weighing them.

Before they fledge the chicks will be given access to a shallow pool where they can try out their swimming skills before joining the adults in the larger adult pool. It is hoped they will make their debut on exhibit in early summer.