Penguin chick hatched at Lincoln Children’s Zoo

Lincoln Children’s Zoo is excited to announce that a Humboldt penguin chick hatched at the Zoo on December 15, 2024. The chick is the offspring of mom, Sharkbait, and dad, John Henry. This is Sharkbait and John Henry’s second chick, following Percy, who hatched in April of 2024.

Humboldt penguins typically hatch between 43 and 48 days after an egg is laid. Sharkbait and John Henry were both very attentive during this incubation period. They took turns keeping the egg warm by sitting on it in the nest box they prepared. To determine whether an egg is fertilized or unfertilized, the animal care team checks for signs of chick development through a process called “candling.” During this process, the team holds the egg up to a special light to look through the shell and view development.

“Sharkbait and John Henry did a very good job taking care of Percy, but they definitely know what they are doing this time around and were not hesitant to jump right in and take care of their chick,” said Dr. Ruth Marcec-Greaves, Lincoln Children’s Zoo General Curator. “This chick is very inquisitive and is trying to explore away from mom and dad early.”

The parents have been guarding their chick since it hatched, keeping it warm and feeding it by regurgitating partially digested food into the chick’s mouth. The Zoo’s keeper and veterinarian staff carefully monitor the chick and parents and weigh it daily to make sure that it is healthy and progressing well. The chicks hatch weight was 72 grams, and as of January 13, it weighed 1160 grams.

The team is awaiting the results of a blood test to determine the sex of the penguin chick. The sex and name will be announced later.

“Lincoln Children’s Zoo plays an important role in animal conservation and protecting species from extinction,” said Evan Killeen, Lincoln Children’s Zoo CEO. “The birth of a vulnerable species such as the Humboldt penguins is incredibly important for these conservation efforts since they face a high risk of extinction in the wild.”

The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program. The program develops a Breeding and Transfer Plan which identifies population goals and recommendations to manage a genetically diverse, demographically varied, and biologically sound population. The plan’s coordinators approved breeding recommendations for the Zoo’s penguins Sharkbait and John Henry.

Sharkbait and John Henry are currently caring for the chick in a nest box behind the scenes. The chick will continue to spend its time off-exhibit as it continues to grow and develop its waterproof feathers. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.