The chick was born with the help of zookeepers after the mum faced difficulties Credit: Drusillas Park
A rare penguin chick has hatched with the help of zookeepers from Sussex after a difficult birth.
The Humboldt chick emerged from its shell on Wednesday 2nd April after staff noticed a small hole in the egg. The cheeky chick finally broke free on Wednesday Credit: Drusillas Park
Humboldt penguins usually hatch after 40 days with greyish feathers
and both parents work together to feed and care for their young.
The chicks tend to leave their nest at around 10-12 weeks. The small shell which the penguin hatched out of on Wednesday Credit: Drusillas Park
Deputy Head Keeper, Jason O’Connell commented: “Hatching can be a
difficult time and it can take a while depending on the chick’s own
strength. The chick is doing really well now and we are pleased with his
progress. "He will be cared for by his parents within the safety of the nest
box over the next few weeks, before finally waddling out onto the beach
in time for summer."
The Penguin Camera is located on Torgersen Island (64°46’S, 64°04’W), off the coast of Anvers Island and less than a mile from Palmer Station. Torgersen Island is home to a colony of Adélie penguins numbering approximately 2,500. This camera is seasonal and operates primarily from October to February, the Adélie breeding season. The camera is solar-powered and may sometimes experience brief outages due to inclement weather. School classrooms and other educational demonstrations will often take control of the camera, moving it to gain better views of the colony.
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