Mumbai: India's first penguin born on Independence Day
Even as the whole nation celebrated Independence Day yesterday, it was extra special for Byculla Zoo. That's because it welcomed a new member, a baby penguin, born out of the eldest and youngest of the seven Humboldt penguins that have been residing in the zoo since 2016. Its gender will be determined through a DNA test that will be done later today, authorities said.
The chick hatched out at 8PM, is 'active'
The chick hatched out at 8PM and "appeared to be active. Its mother, 4.5-year-old Flipper, was trying to feed it," said the zoo's director, Dr Sanjay Tripathi. It'll be kept under observation for 12 hours. Tripathi added that Flipper had laid an egg on July 5. After the usual 40-day incubation, she and her 3-year-old partner, Molt, were successfully able to hatch the egg.
BMC officials hope zoo will take care of newborn
Officials of BMC, who control the zoo, said they had also arranged for an artificial incubator, in case the couple failed. Claiming it is the first penguin to be born in the country, officials added, they were "already prepared to have a new member in the penguin family here." They hoped the zoo authorities will take proper care of the baby.
The penguins were brought in from South Korea in 2016
The penguins, eight of them, were brought to the zoo from South Korea after much deliberation in July 2016. Within three months, failing to acclimatize with the weather change, one named Dory died of bacterial infection. The rest nestled in sprawling 1,700 sqft area, where average temperature is maintained around 16-18degrees. They are fed sardines, mackerel, eel, prawns, and even local specialty, Bombay Duck.
The Humboldt Penguins are bringing in moolah for the zoo
They also require vigilant observation for which three doctors take care of them round the clock — two during the day and one at night. The other five penguins named Donald, Daisy, Popeye, Olive, Bubble, along with the star couple, attract a lot of attention. In fact, BMC officials said ever since the Humboldt Penguin Kaksh started, the zoo revenue has shot up manifold.
Know the penguin: Listed vulnerable, they are South America native
The cute 3ft inhabitants of islands and rocky coasts are native of South American countries like Chile and Peru. Enlisted as vulnerable by the IUCN, these penguins can be found in zoos across the world including Spain, Germany, Ireland, Japan, UK, US, etc.
