The Aquarium family grew two penguins bigger earlier this summer as we welcomed our new adorable penguin chicks, a boy, and a girl. It’s not easy being a baby penguin, and for the
first few weeks of life, they are quite fragile. For this reason, our dedicated Veterinary staff continues to monitor the baby penguins closely to ensure they are growing and gaining weight at a normal rate. Our Endotherms team has also done an amazing job in taking care of the penguins and meeting their needs to make sure they are happy chicks.
The first chick, Bentley, hatched on June 3, to parents Nash and Sampson. His name was
inspired by the Bentley Subglacial Trench, the lowest point in Antarctica. Through constant careful monitoring, it was determined that Bentley was not thriving, and a medical exam found that he had developed pneumonia within a week of hatching. While penguin parents do their best, the decision was made to hand-rear Bentley to make sure he got the medical care that he needed. Penguin babies eat a lot, and between the Endotherms team and Veterinary staff, it took a full team effort to nurse Bentley back to health. He has recovered well and is now thriving on habitat.
Shortly after Bentley, baby Aurora hatched on June 22 to parents Runner and Georgia. Her name was inspired by Aurora Australis, the Southern Lights commonly seen in Antarctica. Aurora developed mild pneumonia as well but had an easier time of it. Whenever possible, chicks are left with their parents to rear, so our team was able to co-manage her alongside her parents. Once she was old enough to leave the nest, she transitioned to hand feeding in our nursery until her adult, waterproof feathers came in.
Bentley and Aurora have overcome many milestones in their short time since hatching. Gentoo penguin chicks grow quickly in their first two to three months of life, so both penguins gained a lot of weight daily. They went from eating blended fish to eating whole fish, just like their parents. Both chicks also experienced their first molt and grew their waterproof feathers. So, at that point, they were ready for the water! To prepare them, both chicks were introduced to a small body of water in a back of house area.
After four months, the chicks were ready to join the colony and receive their identification bands. The other penguins gathered around the chicks and seemed eager to have them on habitat. Bentley and Aurora seemed apprehensive at first but eventually warmed up to everyone and their new environment. With a little encouragement from the other penguins, they took the plunge and started swimming.
The baby penguins are now on habitat full-time. You can stop by The Penguin Research Station to see Bentley and Aurora splashing around. You can also check out our Instagram to see videos of the baby penguin’s first swim and introduction to the colony.
Penguin Research Station presented by Mountain America Credit Union
