Bringing up the “ Seattle Four” a Success for Humboldt Penguins R. Smith, Bird Keeper Penguins St. Louis Zoological Park Missouri , USA
In 2007 two pairs of Humboldt penguins, Speniscus humboldti, at the St. Louis Zoo’s Penguin Puffin Coast (PPC), successfully produced four offspring. These chicks have been raised to adults and are currently part of the founding population at the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle , Washington . Three of the chicks; Erika, Gonzo, and Sardina, were parent reared for 56, 59, and 52 days, respectively. After which the PPC staff raised the chicks until fledging. The fourth chick, Anchoveta, was hand–reared. At eighteen days she was joined by “Oscar” a 21 day old Gentoo penguin chick (who was also being hand reared). These two chicks were companions until fledging. The first chick, Erika, hatched in spring of 2007. All of the other chicks hatched in the late fall of 2007. The staff combined AZA penguin husbandry techniques with their own penguin husbandry experiences to make this busy year a success. Summaries of natal care, acclimation, and hand feeding are discussed. Some differences were found between hand reared and parent reared chicks however the chick growth weights were found to be similar between siblings and the growth rate differences between parents raised and hand raised chicks was minimal. These growth rate samples are too small to make any major conclusions however; they do show trends and may assist with improving future Humboldt chick.
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