National Aviary Welcomes First Chick of the New Year as Endangered African Penguin Chick Hatches
About the size of a lime, the little chick is the first for parents Buddy and Holly and the eleventh African Penguin to hatch at the National Aviary
The National Aviary rang in the New Year in a notable way: with the hatching of an endangered African Penguin to first-time parents Buddy and Holly. The new chick hatched on January 3, making it the first chick of the New Year and the eleventh African Penguin to hatch at the National Aviary. For this endangered species, every hatching represents hope for the future.
“It is a thrill to start off this new year on such a hopeful note. Every hatching is important, and the fact that African Penguins are endangered makes the arrival of this new hatchling all the more special,” said Cheryl Tracy, Executive Director of the National Aviary. “Even though the first few weeks are critical for any new hatchling, we know that our team’s tremendous dedication will provide for the best possible care, especially during this early critical period. This hatching brings a ray of hope at the start of a new year for the National Aviary.”
With the arrival of the chick on January 3, Buddy and Holly are raising their new little one, sharing brooding and feeding duties in their nest burrow tucked away within the National Aviary’s specially designed Penguin Point habitat. Penguin Point’s design incorporates a heated rocky beach, heated pool, and nest burrows that encourage natural behaviors for these social, curious birds.
While it is about the size of a lime, weighing 2 ounces, and covered in soft, downy fuzz now, the chick will grow rapidly. By about three months of age, it will be full-grown and ready to swim with waterproofed juvenile feathers. At that time, a DNA feather test will be performed to learn the sex of the penguin.
African Penguins are endangered, and their populations have experienced a precipitous decline across their range. Approximately 13,000 pairs remain in the wild in South Africa. Their decline is largely a result of human disturbance: over-fishing, human activity at nesting sites, and disasters like oil spills put pressure on African Penguin populations.
The National Aviary participates in the Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for African Penguins, a collaborative effort among Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited institutions to enhance conservation of the species and ensure the entire population of African Penguins remains genetically diverse and demographically stable for the long-term future. The National Aviary is also the leader of the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program for African Penguins. SAFE is a collaborative, international effort to identify and address conservation challenges faced by African Penguins across their range.
Visitors may be able to catch a glimpse of Buddy and Holly caring for their chick in Penguin Point when visiting the National Aviary this weekend. The National Aviary has enhanced safety protocols in place that align with CDC and Allegheny County Health Department guidelines. Care for the more than 550 animals that call the National Aviary home has carried on uncompromised. The support of caring community members helps the National Aviary provide exceptional care for birds like this new African Penguin chick. Donations can be made at aviary.org.