Four perfect penguin chicks hatch ahead of World Penguin Day!
People often say timing is everything and it’s definitely the case at Twycross Zoo as it welcomed four adorable Humboldt penguins, just in time for World Penguin Day (25thApril).
These super-cute feathered friends hatched earlier this year at the midlands-based zoo – the youngest born less than 3-weeks ago! With these new additions, the zoo is now home to a total of 27 Humboldt penguins, consisting of six breeding pairs.
The Humboldt penguin is a South American penguin, native to coastal Chile and Peru. They are medium sized, growing up to 6kgs and 70cm, and being the loving animal it is, pairs stay together long term to raise their offspring.
The current wild population for the Humboldt species is uncertain but conservationists predict around 30,000, a number which is in decline. The species is also considered Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and their biggest threats include habitat loss and the exploitation of their food by industrial fisheries.
Dr Matyas Liptovszky, Head of Life Sciences, said: “We’re delighted to announce the arrival of our four Humboldt penguin chicks here at Twycross Zoo. This adds to our great success of penguin births over the last 50 years, now totalling over 120.
“Our penguins are one of our visitors’ favourite animals to see here at the zoo, particularly during our daily penguin parade, where our knowledgable education rangers provide simple ways to support penguin conservation in the wild.”
“Our dedicated keepers are yet to name our new-born chicks, however in Twycross tradition, along with the rest of the colony, soon they will all have marine-themed names.”
Don’t miss Twycross Zoo’s penguin parade which takes place every day at 12.30pm and 3.30pm.
