Shedd Aquarium Penguin Chicks Make Their Exhibit Debut

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: October 22, 2020 12:10 pm

A magellanic penguin chick during its development at the Shedd Aquarium

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

Shedd Aquarium has announced the name of their four Magellanic penguin chicks which hatched in May. The penguins were born after a successful nesting breeding season.

Keepers have kept an eye on the chicks since hatching and regular check-ups have shown that they were hitting all of their growth milestones. Some of the important milestones included socialization, first swim, eating full fish and more.

Since the penguin chicks were meeting these they have now been able to join the adult penguins and go on display at the aquarium.

A magellanic penguin chick during its development at the Shedd Aquarium

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

The penguins chicks are three males and a single female. To determine their genders a small sample was taken of their eggshell and then a blood test was completed. This is necessary as a penguins reproductive organs are internal.

Long time donors who support the work of the non-profit Shedd Aquarium were given the chance to name the penguins.

Their selected names and their meanings are below.

– Porter, male – named in honor of the aquarium’s founder John G. Shedd’s wife, Mary Porter Shedd, by the Shedd Family

– Popi, male – named in honor of Pablo “Popi” Garcia Borboroglu, Ph.D., who is the founder and president of the Global Penguin Society, an international science-based conservation coalition dedicated to the survival and protection of the world’s penguin species, chosen by the Christopher Kim family and Museful Co.

– Sir Elio, male – fondly named by John and Carrie Morgridge and the Morgridge Family Foundation

– Dee, female – named in honor of Dr. Dee Boersma who is a University of Washington professor of biology and founder and director of the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, chosen by Shedd Aquarium’s animal care team

A magellanic penguin chick during its development at the Shedd Aquarium

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

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The four new arrivals are the latest contribution by Shedd to the conservation effort among aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in a cooperatively managed Species Survival Plan for Magellanic penguins.

Guests who visit the Shedd Aquarium may be able to spot the chicks in the Polar Play Zone due to their slightly lighter grey feathers.