We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you – we have recently welcomed two adorable Humboldt penguin chicks into our family! After 40-day incubation periods, Bubba was born to proud parents Forest and Rocky on June 8th, and Rossco arrived on June 23rd, born to Freckles and Sheldon. These cuties join Nugget, who hatched in April and is already almost fully grown.
Our dedicated team of keepers has been keeping a close eye on Bubba and Rossco since they hatched. As part of their care regime, we regularly weigh the chicks to make sure they are healthy, eating well, and growing as they should. Right now, we place the chicks on the scales, but soon they’ll be trained to step onto the scales by themselves, just like the rest of our penguins.
Penguin chicks grow quickly, and this was clearly demonstrated in a recent weighing session. Although Rossco was born just 2 weeks after Bubba, Bubba already weighs twice as much, at 2kg compared to Rossco’s 1kg. Amazingly, Bubba is already bigger than mum Forest!
Penguin chicks usually stay in the nest box until they are fully moulted, and this happens quite quickly. While little Rossco still has the fluffy grey feathers of a new chick, Bubba has started to moult and is sporting a rather scruffy look.
Our Sea Lions and Penguins Team Leader, Jen Carpenter, shared, “It’s always a joy to welcome new chicks into our penguin family. Bubba and Rossco are growing fast, and it’s incredible to see their progress. We look forward to watching them develop and eventually join the rest of the colony. Our team is dedicated to ensuring they receive the best care possible.”
We invite everyone to come and meet the newest members of our penguin family. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see Bubba and Rossco as they grow and thrive. It’s an exciting time here at Blair Drummond Safari Park, and we can’t wait to share it with you!
