Posted May 11, 2023 in New Arrivals
An Eggstra special egg led to a ‘cracking’ Easter Monday!
On Easter Monday (10th April), Humboldt Penguins, Pepper and Chile hatched their first chick and their second chick soon followed with it hatching on the 13th April!
Over the last 4 weeks, the Animal Care Team have been monitoring the chicks’ weight every morning and both have been growing fast. Pepper and Chile are doing a fantastic job at rearing and caring for them both.
Pepper hatched here at Colchester Zoo in April 2016 and Chile arrived from Zlin-Lesna Zoo in Czech Republic in May 2014. These chicks are the pair’s first successful hatchlings.
Humboldt Penguins have a light grey coat until their adult feathers come through and this is when they begin to develop individual spot patterns on their bellies. The Animal Care Team are currently deciding upon names, when they have chosen we will be sure to announce them to you!
At the moment our two youngsters are not on show to the public, however, once they have their adult feathers they will gradually be introduced to the others within the huddle. Humboldt Penguins are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List so these chicks are really important for their species.
UPDATE – 21st July 2023
After patiently waiting for DNA results from feather samples, we can now confirm that our two Humboldt Penguin fledglings are female! Over the past few months they have been swimming in their pool and forming a relationship with the Animal Care Team.
We are also delighted to announce that the pair have been named! Meet Jalapeno and Tabasco! With mum and dad named Chilli and Pepper, it was only right to follow their parent’s footsteps!
