Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo Welcomes Five Gentoo Penguin Chicks
By Steph HusmanOmaha, NE - Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo welcomes five Gentoo penguin chicks, on display in the Scott Aquarium. A press conference with Troy Solberg, Aquarium Keeper, will be today, January 15, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Please enter through Guest Services.
The chicks hatched between December 10 and 21, 2009 and are all being cared for by their parents on display. 2009 was a record year for the number of eggs laid and survivability of the chicks. There have been 27 Gentoo penguins hatched at Omaha’s Zoo since 1999. The hatchings are part of the recommended breeding program in place by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The hatching of these chicks, brings the population at Omaha’s Zoo to 32 Gentoo’s, 29 Rockhoppers, 24 King and one Macaroni penguin. In addition to the cold weather penguins, Omaha’s Zoo also has warm weather little blue penguins only on display during the summer months. Omaha’s Zoo has one of the largest variety of penguin species at six in captivity.
Gentoo penguins originate from Antarctica and sub-Antarctic island. Gentoo’s lay two eggs in a nest and the parents take turns lying on the eggs. They have a shade of black and white down (fuzzy feathers) until they reach six to nine months. At this time, they will lose the down and it be replaced with feathers. Once the chicks have their feathers, they are able to swim. Their diet at Omaha’s Zoo consists of fish creel, mostly capelin and herring and the chicks are feed by the parents.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is located at Nebraska’s I-80, Exit 454 and is open year-round from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. Admission prices for 2010 are $11.50 for adults, $7.75 for children (ages 3 – 11) and $10 for seniors. Household memberships are available for $78 until April 4, 2010. Additional information can be found on the website, www.omahazoo.com.
To view Omaha Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-3112-Omaha's_Henry_Doorly_Zoo
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