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Meet the New England Aquarium’s 4 new African penguin chicks

The chicks hatched this spring and are being cared for behind the scenes before joining the ranks of the penguin colony.

Four African penguin chicks hatched this spring at the New England Aquarium. New England Aquarium

May 11, 2024

2 minutes to read

As Mother’s Day approaches, the New England Aquarium is introducing four new additions to its penguin population.

Four African penguin chicks hatched this spring and are preparing to make their debut at the aquarium’s penguin exhibit this summer.

Aquarium officials said it’s the first time multiple African penguin chicks had hatched in the same breeding season since 2019 when three chicks joined the penguin colony.

The first chick, a male, hatched on March 21, followed by a sister on March 27, both from parents Malgas II and Demersus III. In the following weeks, two more eggs hatched from parents Namibia IV and Jahleel III — a male on April 8 and a female on April 18.

Aquarium staff will continue to care for the baby penguins behind the scenes as they grow stronger and develop their waterproof feathers. The chicks will soon receive names with an educational or conservation connection and will be introduced to some adult penguins to help them acclimate to the colony.

The first chick is expected to be ready to go on exhibit for the public in early June.

Malgas, the mother of the first two hatchlings, has raised six chicks over the years, including “Bray,” who hatched at the aquarium in 2023. Staff said the mother bird helped pull away the eggshell as the chicks were hatching and is feeding them well.

“What’s really exciting about Malgas this year is that she got to raise two chicks. In the wild, one of those chicks may not survive because of competition for the resources of its parents. But Malgas was clearly ready for this challenge, and both chicks are thriving,” said Eric Fox, assistant curator of penguins.

New England Aquarium staffers examine one of the chicks. *New England Aquarium*

Aquarium staff are helping give first-time mom Namibia a leg-up with raising her chicks. Experienced penguin parents were brought in to foster Namibia’s eggs during incubation. Trainers have also been giving supplemental feedings to her second chick and brought in foster mom Harlequin to help raise it.

The four chicks may be close in age, but aquarium officials say they vary in size. The oldest chick is now the size of an adult penguin at 2,500 grams, 35 times its hatch weight.

That chick and his sibling are being hand-fed, and trainers are trying to get them more comfortable with being handled. Staff must inspect the chicks’ feet, mouths, and bodies and aim to do so with minimal stress to the young birds.

“It is nuanced work, with small steps that allow us to develop a level of trust with the chicks,” Fox said.

An endangered species, scientists say African penguins are threatened by overfishing, climate change, and pollution.

Each new hatchling is the result of careful planning by aquarium staff. Penguin parents are selected based on factors like age and genetic diversity. Experts say breeding them offers the birds a chance to go through the life experience of bonding, nesting, and baby-rearing.

“The breeding process is not only a great learning opportunity for the staff but also for the birds,” said Kristen McMahon, the aquarium’s curator of pinnipeds and penguins.

The aquarium recently joined the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) SAFE African Penguin program, which aims to protect and restore wild African penguin populations.

The aquarium also participates in the AZA’s African Penguin Species Survival Plan, which supports field conservation efforts and a breeding program to help promote a sustainable future for the wild birds.