The Bedford Estates, LondonKeepers have been celebrating some 'cracking' news down at Humbolt Harbour, as the Park welcomed the arrival of three new Humbolt penguin chicks!
Experienced parents Leaf and Salsa, who have successfully reared a number of young at Woburn Safari Park as part of a European breeding programme, welcomed two chicks called Sriracha and Pesto.
First Time Parents
Tank and Arrow, another bonded penguin pair, also welcomed a chick together for the first time, who has been named Apache. As Tank arrived from Welsh Mountain Zoo back in 2022, keepers are delighted that he has now formed a bond with Arrow and they have reared a chick together in this time.
Humboldt penguins are listed as ’vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, meaning that they are considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Breeding pairs like these play an important part in ensuring that a viable and sustainable captive population of this key species is maintained long-term.
Keepers were able to capture footage of the chicks whilst still in their burrow – as the team have been carefully watching over the growing brood.
Hatched and Exploring
The penguin chicks were very vocal while still within the burrows their parents had dug out to lay their eggs in. They have now started to emerge from these burrows and are recognisable by their distinctive brown and grey colouration, which they will keep for the first year of their lives.
Despite their curiosity, the chicks will be dependent on their parents for food until they are around six months old. Both parents will play an important role in caring for the young, and help them navigate their way through adolescence and into adulthood after their first moult at around one year old.
They won't stay this little for long, so be sure to look out for these adorable chicks in the Foot Safari on your next visit!