We’ve got some exciting news from our penguin colony – two more Humboldt penguin chicks have hatched!
Born on the 15th of May to proud parents Monzy and Skipper, these tiny arrivals are already thriving behind the scenes. In the wild, it’s rare for both chicks in a penguin clutch to survive, so to give them the best possible start, one of the chicks was fostered by our most experienced penguin couple – Forest (22) and Rocky (13). It’s a tried-and-tested technique, and we’re delighted to say both chicks are doing brilliantly. They now each weigh a healthy 1kg.
This is a particularly special moment for Monzy. She joined us back in 2018 from Woburn Safari Park as a potential match for our penguin Peter – but, alas, Peter wasn’t interested. Monzy’s known for being a bit of a handful in the colony (mainly because she likes to steal fish right out of the other penguins’ mouths), so for years it seemed like love just wasn’t on the cards.
That all changed last year, when we welcomed two males – Skipper and Mola Mola – from Twycross Zoo. The move was part of a national effort to manage penguin populations across UK zoos and aquariums, helping to maintain healthy genetics and support the long-term future of the species. Two of our females moved to London Zoo as part of the same swap.
And wouldn’t you know it – Skipper completely fell for Monzy and her cheeky ways. It just goes to show, there really is someone out there for everyone!
“Monzy and Skipper have made a great little team,” says Jen Carpenter, Team Leader for Penguins. “We weren’t sure if Monzy would ever pair up, but Skipper seems to take her quirks in his stride. Seeing her with chicks of her own is a real joy for the whole team.”
While the chicks are undeniably cute, they’re also a symbol of something much bigger. Humboldt penguins are classed as Vulnerable in the wild by the IUCN, with their numbers threatened by habitat loss, overfishing, and the effects of climate change. Breeding successes in zoos and safari parks like ours form part of wider conservation efforts to safeguard the future of this fascinating species – and help inspire the next generation of wildlife lovers too.
The chicks haven’t been named just yet, but keep an eye on our social channels – we’ll be sharing more updates very soon!