Calgary Zoo welcomes three new Humboldt penguin chicks

Clara Ho, Calgary Herald

Published on: June 8, 2016

The Calgary Zoo is celebrating the arrival of three Humboldt penguin chicks. The first chick hatched on May 14, 2016, the second hatched on May 16, and the third hatched on May 31. Courtesy Calgary Zoo / Postmedia

The Calgary Zoo is marking World Oceans Day in a very special way this year.
Zoo staff are celebrating the arrival of three Humboldt penguin chicks, who join 17 other Humboldt penguins in the colony.
The first chick hatched May 14 to parents Estaban and Karina. Two days later, the second chick hatched to parents Horatio and Sophie. And on May 31, parents Santiago and Juanita welcomed the colony’s third Humboldt baby.
“These spring chicks are a happy addition to our colony and for the Humboldt species,” zoo curator Malu Celli said in a news release.
“Humboldt penguins are listed as vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and are part of the zoo’s Species Survival Plan.”

The Calgary Zoo is celebrating the arrival of three Humboldt penguin chicks. The first chick hatched
 on May 14, 2016, the second hatched on May 16, and the third hatched on May 31. Courtesy Calgary
 Zoo / Postmedia

The newborns are currently nestled in with their parents in the outdoor area of the Penguin Plunge exhibit.
Two have already had their health checks, though their genders are not yet known.
This is the second successful hatching of Humboldt penguin chicks at the Calgary Zoo since the Penguin Plunge opened in 2012.
The first baby hatched on June 27, 2015, to first-time parents Javier and Reina.

The Calgary Zoo is celebrating the arrival of three Humboldt penguin chicks. The first chick hatched
 on May 14, 2016, the second hatched on May 16, and the third hatched on May 31. Courtesy Calgary 
Zoo / Postmedia

World Oceans Day is a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future, according to its website.
The zoo said it observes this initiative by supporting Ocean Wise — a Vancouver Aquarium conservation program created to “educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood” — and using only reusable bags in its gift shops.

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