Three little penguins hatched at the Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo is celebrating three Little Penguin hatchings.
The eldest was hatched on October 28, 2021, to parents Miramar (mother) and Rabbit (father); the second chick was hatched on November 4, 2021, to parents Eudyptula “Tula” (mother) and Granite (father); and the youngest was hatched on November 15, 2021, to parents Clarkie (mother) and Boost (father).
The penguin care team is watching over additional unhatched eggs and they expect more chicks soon.
“Hatchings and births are always a great time for celebration, and we are excited to welcome these new “little” ambassadors this holiday season,” said Louisville Zoo executive director Dan Maloney. “Our aviculturists are doing great work! With November’s first-ever East African crowned crane hatchling in the Zoo’s 52-year history and now these three Little Penguins, there is much to celebrate!”
The chicks aren’t named just yet. The penguins are still nesting with their parents off exhibit but will return in the spring.
The Little Penguin population is estimated to be about 500,000 individuals in the remnant wild. They are native to the southern coast of Australia and the coastline of New Zealand. The species is on a slow decline due to habitat loss and predation by domestic dogs and cats.
The Zoo is open daily year-round. Fall/winter hours continue through March 20, 2022, 10 a.m. ─ 4 p.m. (stay until 5 p.m.). The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
