Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is abuzz with excitement as it welcomes its first southern rockhopper penguin chick in eight years. The adorable fuzzy brown chick hatched on June 16 and has been thriving under the care of the aquarium's dedicated penguin team.
The arrival of the rockhopper chick is the result of the Shedd Aquarium's efforts to bolster its breeding program. Last year, modifications were made to the exhibit area, and new female penguins were introduced to encourage successful breeding. The aquarium's penguin colony also includes Magellanic penguins.
"We were very excited when we found out that this egg was fertile. We've been monitoring it closely. We're seeing great growth, and we're seeing very attentive behavior from the parents, so we couldn't be happier with how things are going," says Megan Vens-Policky, the penguin and otter supervisor at Shedd.
The chick's parents, Edward and Annie, gained popularity in 2020 when they embarked on "field trips" to nearby locations like the Field Museum and Soldier Field while the aquarium was temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The daily wellness exam for the rockhopper chick involves weighing it to track its food intake from its parents. The aquarium team also provides additional food items to help the chick become comfortable with human handling.
For the next three months, the chick will remain nameless as the penguin team focuses on its health and development. The chick's sex will be determined through DNA testing from inside its eggshell.
Shedd Aquarium actively participates in the Species Survival Plan, a global conservation program aimed at optimizing the genetics and health of the rockhopper penguin population in accredited zoos and aquariums. The southern rockhopper penguin population is a concern in the wild, making it crucial to learn more about them and ensure their long-term survival.
With the arrival of this precious rockhopper penguin chick, Shedd Aquarium continues its commitment to education, conservation, and providing a nurturing environment for these fascinating creatures.
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