Chattanooga Penguin is a girl!

Chattanooga: Tests show penguin chick is female

The Tennessee Aquarium has learned that the macaroni penguin chick born in June is a female.

In early December, all the penguins at the Tennessee Aquarium were given physical examinations that included routine blood work, said spokesman Thom Benson. These semi-annual exams were performed after all the gentoo and macaroni penguins completed their molting cycle.

A special DNA analysis must be performed to actually determine whether a penguin is male or female, Mr. Benson said.

Now that the sex is known, the aquarium will launch a naming contest. Visitors can suggest name at the aquarium’s gift shop.

There were three live births and several egg-layings in the Penguins’ Rock exhibit this year. The female macaroni penguin was the only chick that survived.

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