Memphis Zoo welcomes 5 baby African penguins bred as part of Species Survival Program

By Associated Press

10:34 AM CDT, October 12, 2010

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — It's been a good year for penguins at the Memphis Zoo.

In recent weeks, five furry African penguins have hatched, the most at the zoo since it began its breeding program in 1990.

The zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' Species Survival Program and a significant contributor to the captive African penguin population in North America. African penguins were added to the endangered species list this year.

The Commercial Appeal reports that the Memphis Zoo already has 21 adult African penguins, and only one of the five chicks will stay in Memphis. The other four will be sent to other zoos once they are older.

The chicks reach full size at about two months, but aren't fully mature until they shed their downy gray feathers for sleek black and white ones at about a year old.

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