Audubon Aquarium is thrilled to announce the hatching of three endangered African Blackfooted penguin chicks. Born in March, the chicks are growing quickly and have joined the penguin colony on exhibit.
Video from Audubon Aquarium YouTube Channel
The proud parents include Voodoo and Tag, Snake and Quatloo, Endymion and Kenickie. Endymion is the last penguin chick born at Audubon and is a testament to the success of the Audubon Penguin Breeding Program.
“With their numbers decreasing by as much as 90% in the past century, the hatching of multiple African penguin chicks is especially significant and makes me incredibly proud of the program’s accomplishments,” says Audubon Senior Aviculturist Darwin Long. “I’m very excited to share the images and video I have captured of the development of these adorable three chicks and proud to help sustain a quickly diminishing species of penguin.”
As a Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding facility, Audubon works to build genetically-diverse captive populations to ensure the survival of threatened or endangered species. Audubon has raised 46 chicks since the Aquarium opened in 1990 and currently is home to 31 African Blackfooted penguins and three Southern Rockhopper penguins.
Image Credit: WAFB
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