Baby African Penguin at Chicago Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago welcomed a new African penguin chick in October. Photo credit: Lincoln Park Zoo.

The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago announced the arrival of a new African penguin chick! After a 40-day incubation period, the baby penguin hatched on October 1.

The chick was born to parents Rosie and Cecil. However, Rosie and Cecil have not been successful in raising chicks in the past, so the Animal Care team has decided this chick will be raised by penguin pair Liam and Maria, who have strong parenting instincts.

The penguin chick remains behind-the-scenes at Lincoln Park Zoo until it grows its juvenile waterproof feathers. Photo credit: Lincoln Park Zoo.

“As a critically endangered species, each new African penguin chick represents an immense amount of hope for the species’ future,” said Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds Nicole Finch-Mason.

At this point, the chick remains behind-the-scenes. Soon it will begin exploring outside its nest box. It currently weighs 1.9 kg (4.2 lb.) and has downy feathers.

Once it grows its juvenile waterproof feathers in a few weeks, it will join the other African penguins in the zoo’s colony on exhibit. After 1-2 years, the chick will molt into its adult black and white plumage.

African penguins are critically endangered. Lincoln Park Zoo participates in the African Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP), which helps conserve the species. Photo credit: Lincoln Park Zoo.

To learn more about the African penguin chick, visit the Lincoln Park Zoo website.

For more information about African penguins, see our article, African Penguin.