Philadelphia, PA — The Philadelphia Zoo today formally announced the arrival of three Humboldt penguin chicks born at the Zoo on May 11, 13 and 15, 2007. Humboldt penguin chicks remain inside their burrows until they are almost independent of their parents—usually about 10 to 12 weeks after hatching, and the Zoo’s chicks will be on exhibit sometime in late July or early August.
The Zoo is in the midst of a project to completely renovate its popular penguin exhibit. Later this summer, families will find the penguins parading through a newly landscaped, pooled habitat with a sandy beach and rock slide. At night, the birds will slumber in brand-new burrows. This exciting renovation will not only beautify the penguin habitat, but also will make the Zoo’s use of water in the exhibit more efficient and conservation-friendly.
Corporate Synergies has committed funding for the new penguin habitat, and chief executive Eric Raymond was on hand to meet the new chicks today. Corporate Synergies is a full-service benefits consultant and brokerage firm. The company manages more than three-quarters of a billion dollars in healthcare premiums and utilizes a unique suite of services combined with innovative technology to deliver cost-effective benefit solutions to both employers and employees.
Humboldt penguins are found on the along the coast of Chile and Peru. They nest on islands or on rocky stretches of mainland coast, especially in areas with cliffs. Conservationists estimate only about 40,000 Humboldt penguins survive in the wild, where they come into conflict with fishermen and others who earn their livelihoods in this coastal area. Penguins get caught in fishing nets and drown, and local residents collect their eggs for food. Bird droppings, called guano, are a valuable source of nitrogen and are mined from nesting areas and sold as fertilizer. Uncontrolled mining can destroy important penguin nesting sites.
The Philadelphia Zoo has joined with the St. Louis Zoo and the Brookfield Zoo to support Project Punta San Juan, which employs wildlife biologists who monitor penguins and other seabirds on Punta San Juan, the largest penguin breeding colony in Peru. The Zoo has sent volunteers to monitor guano mining, and Zoo educator Siobhan Donnelly traveled to Peru in March to monitor the most recent guano harvest and to work with local teachers to help children learn about these amazing birds and how all of us can protect them.
Now that the Zoo has more penguin mouths to feed, families can "adopt" one of the chicks by calling 215-ADOPT ME or by logging on to www.philadelphiazoo.org.
America's first zoo and one of the region's foremost conservation organizations, the Philadelphia Zoo is home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world. The Philadelphia region’s leading family destination, the Zoo welcomed more than 1.2 million visitors last year. The Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.