Overview
- The newest Gentoo chick hatched July 17 to parents Blue and Flower, adding to a summertime “penguin baby boom” that also included a June 25 hatch from Nipper and Pebbles.
- Staff intervened when the chick had trouble holding its head and feeding, with the aquarium saying caregivers provided supplemental feedings until the chick could feed successfully from its parents.
- The chick grew extremely fast, rising from about 101 grams a day after hatching to roughly 2.73 kilograms at its one‑month weigh‑in, an increase the aquarium described as typical for the species.
- Both recent chicks are being kept off‑exhibit in special holding rooms to protect fragile young from adult aggression and will join the public Penguins’ Rock colony only after passing a swim test at about 70 days old.
- The aquarium has scheduled a public baby shower on September 13 and an online fundraiser starting September 15 where naming rights will be auctioned, with proceeds supporting its nonprofit conservation and animal‑care work.