Penguin chicks -- bundles of fun

Penguin chicks -- bundles of fun


Published Date: 27 May 2009
SPRING is an uplifting time of year for many people but at Drusillas Park, Alfriston, it also heralds the arrival of many baby bundles of feathers – and this year is no exception.

Among the baby boomers of 2009 are two fluffy Humboldt penguin chicks.
In the wild, Humboldt penguins are found off the west coast of South America, in Peru and northern Chile, where they are a threatened species as a result of pollution, overfishing of their prey species, hunting and habitat destruction.
The group at Drusillas is part of an International Breeding Programme created to secure their future survival.

Humboldt penguins are monogamous, staying with the same partner for life. They lay one or two eggs, which both sexes will take it in turn to incubate for a period of about 39 days.

Since hatching at the beginning of April, the two chicks have been slowly finding their flippers and waddling within the safety of their nest boxes.
However, following the moult of their fluffy down feathers, the new additions will gradually follow in their parents' footsteps out to the pool.
In the meantime, the rest of the group have been making the most of the showery weather this week, which is ppppperfect for penguins.

Zoo manager Sue Woodgate said, "The zoo keepers are kept very busy with all the extra mouths to feed at this time of year.

"We are always excited by the new arrivals and are hoping for a few more happy events in the near future."

Located just off the A27 in Alfriston, Drusillas is open from 10am until 6pm daily.
For more information call 874100 or visit the website at www.drusillas.co.uk

Source:
http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/seaford/Penguin-chicks-and-marmosets-.5306035.jp
Image: Flickr