The Shedd Aquarium has something adorable to celebrate: the arrival of two new penguin chicks!
On Wednesday, the Chicago facility announced that they recently welcomed “two new fuzzy additions to the penguin colony.” The first of the Magellanic penguin chicks was born on April 29, while the second hatched on May 5.
Penguin chick hatching.Brenna Hernandez/Shedd Aquarium
Penguin chick at Shedd Aquarium.Brenna Hernandez/Shedd Aquarium
As of right now, aquarium officials say the most important thing is that the chicks continue to gain weight, an indication that they’re getting all the nutrients they need.
Penguin chick born at Shedd Aquarium.Brenna Hernandez/Shedd Aquarium
According to the aquarium, both of the newborns hatched, weighing 89 grams. The Magellanic penguin chicks will reach their full size around two to three months of age.
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Last year, the aquariumcelebrated the birth of four chicks, which marked the “most Magellanic penguins born and bred at the aquarium following the annual breeding season.”
Although so far this season only two chicks have hatched, the aquarium said there’s “still a possibility for additional hatchlings.”
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As of last year,Magellanic penguins were listed as being of “least concern,” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. However, the IUCN notes that theirpopulation is “decreasing.”
The penguin chicks were welcomed as part of the Shedd Aquarium’s conservation efforts.
source: people.com
