Birch Aquarium Welcomes First West Coast Little Blue Penguin Chick
Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego has welcomed its first Little Blue Penguin chick, a significant event for the West Coast. This hatch comes amidst challenges faced by wild Little Blue Penguin populations due to climate change.
The chick, born to parents Cornelius and Pink/Black, made its debut on New Year's Day. It's the first of its kind to hatch on the West Coast, a feat achieved through collaboration between the University of Western Australia and Perth Zoo. The chick is being hand-raised by the aquarium's dedicated penguin care team. Currently weighing over 800 grams, it has grown rapidly from its initial 29 grams in less than a month. More chicks are expected in the future, as additional eggs are developing behind the scenes. After its first molt in approximately three months, the chick will join the rest of the colony in the exhibit.
The arrival of this Little Blue Penguin chick at Birch Aquarium is a cause for celebration. It not only marks a first for the West Coast but also reflects the aquarium's commitment to connecting understanding to protecting our ocean planet through engaging learning opportunities.
