Monterey Bay Aquarium Welcomes First Penguin Chick - story with video and pic

[Kadie]

Here is something if you need a small break from the news of the past few days...


In this Jan. 8, 2011 photo provided by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a worker holds an African blackfooted penguin chick shortly after it hatched at the aquarium in Monterey, Calif. The chick, the first of its kind to hatch at the aquarium, will remain on exhibit with its parents through the end of January, before it is moved behind the scenes to become more acclimated to people. (AP Photo/Monterey Bay Aquarium, Aimee Greenebaum) NO SALES

video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjCwC_RLC1w&feature=youtube_gdata


Our First Penguin Chick!

In a nest, high up in the penguin condos in our Splash Zone exhibit, African blackfooted penguins, Umngane and Dassen have been keeping a secret! The pair were guarding an egg. Although our staff believed the egg to be viable, we were not entirely sure until the sound of "pipping" was heard. This is the sound of a baby bird tapping on the inside of a shell as it starts to make its way out into the world.

On Saturday, January 8, the young chick finally emerged from the shell, much to the delight of us all, and perhaps to the surprise of first-time parents!

snip...
Though many of our penguin pairs have made nests before and sat on eggs (replicas), this is the first time the Aquarium has been permitted to raise penguin chicks. Our birds are part of Species Survival Plan for African blackfooted penguins. This pair are genetically important to the captive population and therefore we received permission for them to breed from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums who manages the plan.

more...
http://montereybayaquarium.typepad.com/

[Hell Hath No Fury]

1. Squee worthy!

He's so soft looking! Like velvet.