According to a spokesperson with the zoo, a rockhopper penguin was born at the zoo on June 14. At five-weeks-old it is now making the Zoo's Penguin Cost its home. The baby penguin is being raised by its parents, but has not yet made its public debut.
/ Riverbanks Zoo / Ron Brasington
COLUMBIA (WACH) - The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has another new addition.
According to a spokesperson with the zoo, a rockhopper penguin was born at the zoo on June 14. At five-weeks-old it is now making the Zoo's Penguin Cost its home. The penguin chick is being raised by its parents, but has not yet made its public debut.
“At this time, the hatchling’s nest is located in an enclosed area for the bird’s safety,” said Martin Vince, curator of birds at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “Once the chick has developed its waterproof feathers, at about three months old, and is able to swim in the 40-degree water, the safety barrier will be removed and the bird will be visible to the public.”
Riverbanks is home to three different species of penguin—the rockhopper, king and gentoo. Rockhoppers get their name because the birds hop from rock to rock bouncing along on both feet.
Zoo officials say a penguin has not been born at the zoo since June 27, 2010, which was when "Chillen Jillen," a gentoo penguin, joined the Riverbanks family.
Zoo officials also announced that the baby rockhopper isn’t the only new chick in town. Riverbanks is also now home to a one-month-old Caribbean flamingo and two six-week-old Toco toucans. The baby flamingo is on exhibit daily with the Zoo’s entire flamingo flock next to the Birdhouse at Riverbanks, while the young toucans are on display in the Bird Garden across from Kangaroo Walkabout.
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