Aquarium of Americas Hatches First Baby Chick

Aquarium of Americas Hatches First Baby Chick

March 25, 2009

(New Orleans, LA)- It’s not your average Easter chick! Just in time for Spring, Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans announces the hatching of a penguin chick – the first penguin hatchling in eight years.

The young African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) chick hatched on February 21st, 2009. Voodoo and Amquel are the proud parents of the new youngster, whose gender will be determined once the chick gets a bit larger.

“With their numbers decreasing as much as 90% in the past century, the hatching of this African penguin chick is especially significant,” says aviculturist Tom Dyer. “We are so happy to spread the good news!”

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas has a total of 21 penguins: 18 African penguins and 3 Rockhopper penguins. The African penguins are found on the southwestern coast of Africa. They can grow to approximately 26 inches and can weigh between 4-11 pounds. Both parents take turns feeding and caring for the chick.

Although the chick will stay in the nest for with its parents for some time, lucky visitors may be able to sneak a glimpse of it from time to time. And guests can always look for Snake, the most recent offspring of Voodoo and Amquel, hatching out in 2001. All the penguins can be viewed in the Living in Water Gallery located on the second floor of Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, located at the foot of Canal Street in New Orleans.

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a facility of the not-for-profit Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, which also operates Audubon Zoo, Entergy IMAX® Theatre, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Wilderness Park, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Audubon Park, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center (closed due to hurricane damage) and the newly opened Audubon Insectarium. For more information about Audubon Nature Institute, its public attractions and conservation efforts, please visit AudubonInstitute.org.

Article and images courtesy of ABC News, Channel 26@
http://www.abc26.com/pages/abc26news_completestorylist_landing/?Aquarium-of-Americas-Hatches-First-Baby-=1&blockID=248815&feedID=1154

Special thanks for the heads up to "Nothing But Penguins" --see link below.