Endangered African penguin chicks born at Lincoln Park Zoo

A pair of endangered African penguin chicks were recently born at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, representing a major success for the zoo and the vulnerable penguin species.

According to a release from the zoo,  the chicks were born to parents Luna and Oliver between June 24 and 27, following a 40-day incubation period. The zoo's animal care staff have been closely monitoring and caring for the feathered friends and are reportedly doing well. 

The infant penguins recently weighed in at a healthy 5.75 and 5.8 pounds, and will continue to grow before joining the other African penguins at the Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove in the zoo.

 “Having two healthy chicks has been really exciting and we’ve loved watching them grow so far,” said Curator of Birds Nicole Finch-Mason. “We’re so proud of new parents Luna and Oliver for successfully incubating and rearing their chick, and equally appreciative of TJ and Sunny for sharing their penguin parent expertise.”

According to the zoo, African penguins are native to the coastal area between South Africa and Namibia. The rare birds, known as black-footed penguins, are the sole penguin species to breed in Africa. 

African penguin chicks typically remain in their nests for about 12 weeks after birth. The birds usually develop their unique adult tuxedo-like coat by the age of two. Despite being native to Africa, the penguins' special adaptations make them well-suited to Chicago's climate.

Their numbers in the wild have decreased dramatically in recent decades, falling from 141,000 breeding pairs in 1956 to fewer than 20,000 today. Lincoln Park Zoo collaborates with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program to help preserve the crucial species.