Meet Brookfield Zoo’s welcomes newest penguin chicks, kangaroo joey and more babies

Brookfield Zoo is celebrating a flurry of new arrivals this spring, as a variety of baby animals have been born, hatched or morphed since January. Among the additions are Humboldt penguin chicks, a nyala antelope calf and a Western gray kangaroo joey, with most expected to be visible to guests in the coming months.

The births are part of the zoo's ongoing conservation work and participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan. "These younglings demonstrate our commitment to protecting biodiversity," said Dr. Sathya Chinnadurai, senior vice president of animal health, welfare and science. "We hope they inspire conservation leadership and connections to wildlife."

The Humboldt penguin chicks, hatched Jan. 28 and Jan. 31, were born to Cara and Popero. One is being raised by its parents while the other is being fostered. The chicks will join the zoo's 30-member penguin colony on public display in June.

Photo by: Courtesy of Brookfield Zoo

On Feb. 25, a nyala antelope calf was born to Zola. The female calf, with a reddish coat and white stripes, is expected to debut in Habitat Africa! The Savannah in May.

Meanwhile, guests can expect the birth of baby binturongs any day. Kartika, the zoo's adult female binturong, is nearing the end of a 90-day pregnancy. Her medical checkups, including ultrasounds, have been made visible to visitors.

For the first time, six Emperor spotted newts hatched at the zoo in January. These amphibians, native to Iran's Zagros Mountains, are listed as Critically Endangered. They are housed in the Swamp habitat.

Also in January, Lake Titicaca frogs laid eggs, resulting in five metamorphosed frogs. The frogs will join the Reptiles & Birds exhibit later this spring. The species is one of the most endangered amphibians in Bolivia.

Other avian newcomers include two saffron finches hatched Jan. 14 and two silver-beaked tanagers born Feb. 23. Both bird species are part of the zoo's aviary collections and contribute to SSP goals.

Photo by: Courtesy of Brookfield Zoo

Finally, a Western gray kangaroo joey joined the zoo's mob. The joey will remain in its mother’s pouch for about eight months and is expected to be viewable in the Australia habitat later this summer.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago features more than 500 species. For more information, visit brookfieldzoo.org/visit.