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Dublin Zoo welcomes first new penguin chicks since 2013

Dublin Zoo has welcomed two new arrivals in the last month: penguin chicks. They are the first p...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

13.43 29 Apr 2020


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Dublin Zoo welcomes first new...

Dublin Zoo welcomes first new penguin chicks since 2013

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

13.43 29 Apr 2020


Share this article


Dublin Zoo has welcomed two new arrivals in the last month: penguin chicks.

They are the first penguin chicks born at the zoo since 2013.

The first Humboldt penguin chick was born on March 29th to parents Monica (7) and Joey (8).

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The second chick was born on the April 3rd to parents Magdalena (18) and Patrick (16).

Magdalena and Patrick first laid an egg together back in 2007 - and are the parents of new mom Monica.

Their other offspring include Chandler and Phoebe, who are both still in Dublin Zoo.

The two new-borns become the newest members of the 16-strong colony in the zoo’s penguin habitat.

Dublin Zoo Picture by: Dublin Zoo

Ciaran McMahon is team leader at Dublin Zoo: "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.

“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".

The public can watch Dublin Zoo’s penguins at any time via the live webcam, where they may catch a glimpse of the new arrivals.

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.

The Humboldt penguin is under threat because they build their nests in Guano deposits, which are harvested for fertiliser.

They are also threatened by climate change which alters currents and water temperature.

While commercial fishing reduces their food supply and they can get caught in the nets.

They are also 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 and are involved with research, monitoring and protection of breeding islands, campaigning for the creation of marine protected areas and environmental education.


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