CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Shedd Aquarium welcomed its first rockhopper penguin chick in eight years last month, announced aquarium officials on Tuesday.
The chick currently weighs just under 2 pounds but is growing daily, according to a Shedd Aquarium press release.
The chick’s parents are two of the Shedd’s most famous rockhopper penguins: Edward and Annie, who went viral in the spring of 2020 after their field trips through an empty Shedd Aquarium.
In its release, the Shedd said its animal care team is “cautiously optimistic” that the new chick will continue its healthy development.
“The first few months of life can be crucial for the development of young penguins,” officials wrote. “The next big milestone for this chick will be increased socialization with animal care staff, who will also be feeding the chick from time to time.”
Shedd officials said they care for two species of penguins: rockhopper and Magellanic penguins. The aquarium has made a particular effort on breeding the former, though, as officials said rockhopper penguins are “underrepresented in zoos and aquariums.”
In March, keepers of the penguin habitat laid out all of the necessary nest building materials — including rocks, pieces of hose and lavender. Officials said those materials mimic the options available to penguins in their native environment.
Guests might be able to get a peek of the new chick in the aquarium’s Polar Play Zone, where it will be spending some time on exhibit with its parents and Shedd caretakers.
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