Third time lucky

Third time lucky... thrice
Thursday, 02 April 2009 15:47

After two previous failures Geisha, the king penguin rescued from a Japanese fishing boat in 2003, has successfully hatched three chicks just in time for Easter. On his third attempt Geisha's 'partner' managed to produce fertile eggs.

Geisha was rescued by the Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Silvestre de Tafira in Gran Canaria when she appeared trapped in the fishermens' nets on their boat, the Zuiho Maru 18, in waters close to the Cape of Good Hope. Immediately after her rescue the centre in Gran Canaria contacted Loro Parque who were delighted to welcome 'Geisha' into their ever expanding penguin family in Tenerife.

Now she is happy and comfortable in her environment which is ideal for the procreation of chicks, living alongside so many penguins of the same species in the largest penguinarium in the world.

Story and image courtesy of the Tenerife News@
http://www.tenerifenews.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11138:third-time-lucky-thrice&catid=42:tenerife&Itemid=117

In 2008 the Parrot Park has managed to raise various King penguin chicks, and depending on their level of independence, are capable of breeding at six or seven months old. Pairs whose chicks leave the nest within the season can nest again the following season.

The King penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) is the second largest after the Emperor penguin, reaching up to one metre long and weighing between 9 and 15 kilos.
Eight Papua penguins born a few months ago in the penguinarium are already enjoying a greater degree of independence from their parents, and are leaving their nests by themselves.

Photo: The chicks' parents take turns to look after the chicks.. Geisha is on the right of the photo.