Banham Zoo Penguin Chicks Amid 97% Decline of African Penguins

Karmactive Staff

Penguin's new birth at Norfolk zoo creates a new hope for the whole kind of the existing bird, there were two new penguin chicks amaze the locals.

Photo Source: Smerikal (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The new arrivals, named Pudding and Humbug, hatched on December 20 and December 25, 2024, bringing fresh hope for these increasingly rare birds.

Photo Source: Struthious Bandersnatch (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Deborah Harris, the zoo's animal manager says,"It's wonderful to have two penguin chicks here at the zoo".

Photo Source: Edward Webb CC BY 2.0)

The numbers tell a worrying story. Only 10,000 breeding pairs of these penguins remain in the wild, down from 141,000 pairs in the 1950s.

Photo Source: User:Fguerraz (CC BY-SA 3.0 )

Parents Bob and Zulika are now caring for the chicks at the zoo, just as wild penguins would do on the beaches of South Africa and Namibia.

Photo Source: Ian Duffy (CC BY 2.0)

Changes in ocean temperature from climate change make it harder for them to find meals. Human activities near beaches destroy their nesting spots.

Photo Source: Szecska (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

While the zoo's penguin walkthrough is currently closed due to welfare protocol, visitors can still watch through viewing windows.

Photo Source: Michael Schmid (CC BY 2.0)

Each chick helps keep their species going, as the zoo tries to help ensure the survival of their wild counterparts with the captive population.

Photo Source: Tambako The Jaguar (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Their survival at Banham Zoo shows that there's still hope for these endangered birds, even as they face growing challenges in their natural home.

Photo Source: Alicia Talikowska (CC BY 2.0)

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