We are happy to share some exciting news with you all. After a long and eagerly awaited 40-day incubation period, an adorable Humboldt penguin chick hatched on the 19th of April. This delightful new addition to our penguin family, born to proud parents Cliff and Sully, now weighs approximately 2.2 kilograms.
For those who might not know, Humboldt penguins are native to the coasts of Peru and Chile and are named for the chilly water current that flows through their coastal range. These medium-sized penguins are excellent swimmers and can live up to 25 years in age.
Keeper Jen Carpenter said, ‘We are delighted to welcome the latest addition to our waddle of penguins. We recently found out that the chick is a girl and so our keeper team has prepared a shortlist of names: Boo, Dory, Nugget, or Piper. Fans of the park will have the chance to vote on the chick’s name through an online social media poll. We can’t wait to see what our followers pick!’
While our chick is still cosily nestled with its parents, we’d like to take a moment to remind everyone about the challenges Humboldt penguins face in the wild. They are currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, which means they are at a high risk of extinction. Overfishing, rising sea temperatures, and habitat loss are the main threats to their survival. We can all make a difference by disposing of litter responsibly, choosing sustainable seafood, and reducing our carbon footprint to help protect these wonderful birds and their environment.
At about three months old, once our chick has moulted, she will start to explore the penguin habitat here at Blair Drummond. For now, she’s spending all her time in the nest box, but visitors can still see the rest of our penguin gang out and about.
We can’t wait for you to meet our newest penguin addition. Keep an eye on our social media channels for your chance to vote in our naming poll!