I can’t resist awing over babies, human or animal. Last night I got to hold my newborn nephew, I just loved it. I can’t get over how tiny he is and the adorable sounds he makes. My sister also just had a baby boy and so did Veronica, a fellow AkronOhioMom within the last 2 months. My husband’s cousin just had a baby today. I’m surrounded by babies, adorable, precious, cute-as-can-be babies.
Well, the Akron Zoo is celebrating the birth of a couple babies of their own. They just announced the birth of 2 endangered Humboldt Penguins. Birthdates were Jan 8 and Jan 9, 2011. Now, the Akron Zoo has 19 Humboldt penguins.
These precious chicks will be with their mommy and daddy, Carlos and Penya indoors until early spring so we will have a wait a little while longer to see the newborns. The chicks are just 2 pounds each with mommy and daddy feeding them as they cannot eat on their own yet. Their parents don’t mind the extra feedings of 2 varieties of fish including capelin and smelt. They get fed double what they normally get fed during this time. The parents eat the food then regurgitate it back into the chick’s mouth.
I’m sooooooo glad that I didn’t have to witness this while visiting the human babies in my life! LOL
I just can’t wait to see the Humboldt Penguin chicks this spring. This is already one of my family’s favorite exhibits at the Akron Zoo, now it is going to be even more so!
More about the endangered Humboldt penguin
The Humboldt penguin is currently an endangered species. This is due primarily to commercial harvesting of guano for agricultural fertilizer. Without nesting locations, the Humboldt penguins are in serious danger of extinction. Some estimates indicate the possibility of extinction in the wild in the next 10 years. The Akron Zoo houses these penguins as part of the Humboldt Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP). The mission of the SSP is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species. Through scientifically-controlled managed breeding programs, SSP’s are a proactive approach to preventing extinction. SSP’s were formed back in 1981 to help ensure the survival of endangered species. SSP’s are managed by the AZA, of which the Akron Zoo is an accredited member.
Humboldt penguins are warm climate penguins, unlike their Antarctic relatives. They are commonly found in more temperate climates like Peru and Chile.
Visit the Akron Zoo year round
Winter hours, through April, are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and admission is $6.00 per person. The parking fee is $2.00.
Starting May 1, hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and admission is $10 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens, $6 for children (ages 2-14). Children under two are free and parking is $2.00
Zoo Members: Free admission and free parking
Akron Zoo
500 Edgewood Ave.
Akron, Ohio 44307
(330) 375-2550
www.akronzoo.org
