A young Humboldt penguin chick has joined the colony at Oceanarium Bournemouth’s Penguin Beach Encounter.
Almost 2 months old, it remains in a creche within the family nest, where foster parents Diego and Zorro are caring for it before it is ready to move onto Penguin Beach.
The same sex couple have fostered 7 chicks during their 11-year relationship, incubating them as eggs and looking after them until they were ready to join the wider colony at the attraction.
Penguin keeper Amber Cookson said the chick is “doing so well”, has a “fiery little personality” and is already adventurous, while remaining a healthy weight and continuing to grow each day.
Its sex has not yet been confirmed because DNA testing is required, with the Oceanarium planning a gender reveal after receiving the results and further details about naming to follow.
Humboldt penguins are native to Chile and Peru and are classed as vulnerable, with wild populations declining because of habitat loss, climate change and hunting, while the Oceanarium said the arrival forms part of its ongoing breeding programme.
