Cuteness Overload: Dublin Zoo Has Welcomed Two Baby Penguins

It’s been a busy month for Dublin Zoo as despite lockdown, the show must still go on behind closed doors and this month, the zoo is celebrating the hatching of two Humboldt penguin chicks. The first chick was born on March 29 to parents Monica (7) and Joey (8). While the second chick was born on the 3^rd April to parents Magdalena (18) and Patrick (16).

 Magdalena and Patrick first laid an egg together back in 2007 and are the parents of new mum Monica. Their other offspring include Chandler and Phoebe – both still in Dublin Zoo.

 The two newborns are the latest members of the 16 strong colony in Dublin Zoo’s penguin habitat.

The two new Humboldt penguins are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List – with an estimated 32,000 left in the wild off the coast of Chile and Peru.

They are endangered by many factors including climate change which alters currents and water temperature, commercial fishing which reduces their food supply and also for being captured by the illegal trade for consumption and the pet trade.

Since 2008, Dublin Zoo has been providing annual financial support for Humboldt penguin conservation through Sphenisco. Sphenisco works with Chilean and Peruvian scientists and activists. They are involved with research, monitoring and protection of breeding islands, campaigning for the creation of marine protected areas and environmental education.

 Ciaran McMahon, team leader at Dublin Zoo said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome these Humboldt penguin chicks to Dublin Zoo. They are important births for the species. Some of the parent names might seem strangely familiar to fans of a certain show, but in the last number of years all new arrivals at Dublin Zoo have been given names from the country they are native to.

Continuing, he added:

While the Zoo is currently closed to the public, this goes to show that life goes on! The penguin habitat is one of the most popular at the Zoo, and we look forward to welcoming people back as soon as we can.”

For those who want to keep an eye on the penguins you can do so at anytime by checking out Dublin Zoo’s live penguin webcam and you never know, you might spot the new arrivals.

Dublin Zoo is currently closed to the public until further notice in line with government directives. For more information you can check out their website here. 

Oh, and a massive congrats to the new penguin moms and dads!

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