Woodland Park Zoo Introduce Latest Penguin Chicks

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: April 26, 2022 3:33 pm

A Humboldt penguin chick is routinely checked on to ensure acceptable weight gains. The chick is among three that hatched a few weeks ago at Woodland Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo have used World Penguin Day (April 25th 2022) to introduce three Humboldt penguin chicks which recently hatched in their colony.

The three chicks have been welcomed to separate parents beginning in the last week of March. Most penguins mate for life and eggs hatch after 42 days. Both parents work together to hatch the eggs.

Woodland Park Zoo maintain one of the most successful breeding colonies of Humboldt penguins in North America. With these latest births the zoo have now welcomed 80 chicks since 2010.

It is not possible to determine the gender of a penguin using external features. It will be necessary to conduct a DNA test to determine the gender of the chicks.

At present the chicks are growing well in off-display dens. They are being cared for by their parents but are regularly checked and weighed by keepers.

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“All three chicks are thriving and experiencing great weight gains under the excellent care of their parents,” said Shawn Pedersen, an interim bird curator at Woodland Park Zoo. “These charismatic birds continue to be one of the most popular species at the zoo. Our new chicks and colony will continue to inspire action at home to help ensure Humboldt penguins survive into the future.”

Before they make their exhibit debut keepers will give them access to a shallow pool where they can hone their swimming skills. They will first enter the main habitat in early summer.

World Penguin Day is celebrated each year and provides an opportunity to draw attention to the plight of the world's 18 penguin species.

Woodland Park Zoo support conservation efforts through, Humboldt penguin conservation in Punta San Juan, Peru, a marine reserve. Around half of Perus penguin population is found in Punta San Juan.

Learn more about Penguins here - Penguin Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Woodland Park Zoo on their website – Woodland Park Zoo

Animal keeper Celine Pardo cleans the tiny foot of a Humboldt penguin chick during a routine check; the chick is one of three that hatched a few weeks ago at Woodland Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo