Adorable Gentoo penguin chicks hatch at Melbourne aquarium – with zookeepers still trying to come up with creative names for the animals
- Waddle of penguin chicks welcomed at the Sea Life aquarium in Melbourne
- The fluffy huddle was born just before venue re-opened from lockdown
- Staff are waiting for their ‘penguinalities’ to shine through before naming them
A waddle of penguin chicks have been welcomed by zoo keepers at the Sea Life Aquarium in Melbourne.
The fluffy chicks was born about two weeks ago just before the venue re-opened following the city’s coronavirus lockdown.
But staff at the aquarium are still waiting for their ‘penguinalities’ to shine through before naming the rookery.
A waddle of penguin chicks have been welcomed by zoo keepers at the Sea Life aquarium in Melbourne
staff at the aquarium are still waiting for their ‘penguinalities’ to shine through before naming the rookery
It’s the 11th-straight year the wildlife facility’s Gentoo penguin breeding season has been a success.
The chicks are currently being cared for by their doting parents along with the dedicated team of penguin carers who are administering daily health checks.
Staff at Sea Life say first time parents Zeus and Roger have taken to parenting very quickly,
‘We absolutely love this time of year when we welcome babies into the colony!’ Sarina Walsh, Bird Manager at Sea Life Melbourne said.
‘Gentoo penguins are known for their playful and curious characters, so we have decided to let the chicks’ ‘penguinalities’ shine through before choosing the most adorable and appropriate names.’
The iconic aquarium in the heart of the city threw open its doors on November 13 after being closed to visitors for most of the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The chicks are currently being cared for by their doting parents along with the dedicated team of penguin carers who are administering daily health checks (pictured, penguin eggs about to hatch)
Staff say it’s now providing an an uplifting experience for visitors after the 111-day lockdown.
‘Visitors to Sea Life Melbourne’s icy Penguin Playground can spot the penguin chicks nestled under their parents on their pebble nests,’ the aquarium said.
‘(But) there are capacity restrictions and rigorous health and safety measures in place.
‘All guests are required to pre-book online to guarantee entry and the full list of health and safety measures can be found here.
In additional to the popular Sub-Antarctic penguin colony, the site is also home to sharks, thousands of tropical fish, a huge saltwater crocodile named Pinjarra, mesmerising jellyfish and many more stunning sea creatures!
Staff say the aquarium is now providing an an uplifting experience for visitors after the 111-day lockdown