Marwell Zoo in Hampshire has welcomed four endangered penguin chicks.
The news of the birth comes as the zoo celebrates its 50th anniversary later this month, having been opened in 1972.
The Humboldt penguins, which originate in the wild along the coasts of Chile and Peru, will stay in their burrows for 12 weeks now, being cared for by their parents who provide them with food and protection, BBC News revealed.
Speaking with the publication, the zoo’s senior bird keeper Christopher Kent said: “Once the chicks leave the nest the parents will continue to care for them on the pool for a few months at least.”
This clutch represents a 100 per cent success rate for the mum and dad, and is a positive sign for Humboldt penguins, as they are listed as being vulnerable to extinction.
Though they typically live 15 to 20 years in captivity, it is becoming more difficult for them to survive in their natural habitat. According to ZSL London Zoo, pollution from oil spills, overfishing, loss of environment and penguin droppings disturbing their colonies have threatened their existence.
What’s more, they are hunted by seals, sealions and sharks, making it hard to survive in the wild.
This is not the only exciting thing to happen to Marwell Zoo recently, as it announced it will receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development in July.
The wildlife park will be given the accolade by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace for its “achievements in biodiversity, conservation, education and sustainability”.
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