The Omaha zoo's new baby penguins are so cute you're going to lose your mind

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/go/the-omaha-zoo-s-new-baby-penguins-are-so-cute/article_b961b6bc-bd3c-11e4-b699-77e781533077.html

POSTED: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2015 4:22 PM
By Chris Peters / World-Herald staff writer

If you missed the cute little penguin chicks last year, you've got a chance to see another batch.

Three infant penguins will go on display at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Thursday morning. One Gentoo and two Rockhopper penguin chicks that hatched in December are taking their first steps into the zoo's penguin population.

They will be placed in a playpen in the Antarctic Penguin display while they begin to acclimate with the other penguins in the exhibit. They'll join the other penguins in a few weeks once all of their feathers grow in and their non-waterproof down feathers are protected.

The penguins were born December 11-15 and are already approaching their maximum weight. One Rockhopper weighs 3.8 pounds and the other 4.6 pounds, with an expected full-grown weight between 4.4 and 5.5 pounds. The Gentoo weighs 12.3 pounds, just short of the 12-17 pound full-grown weight.

The new additions bring the zoo's total count of penguins to 80, with 32 Gentoos, 26 Rockhoppers and 22 Kings. Rockhoppers are currently listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, while Gentoos are considered "near threatened."


When Richard Kiel came to town for a Bond event, Marta and I were his guides at the zoo. His favorite exhibit was the penguins. He even commented on them when he spoke to the crowd before the movie: http://www.omahafilmevent.com/past/spy007bond1.htm

[Glassunion]

1. Did not lose my mind... This fellow on the other hand...

[Exhibit A]

2. Squeeeee!!! n/t

[bettyellen]

3. Love it Steve! I got to see penguins on their own island in the Magellan straight, and it's true

they appear to be chatting, and using fin gestures while doing so. Sad we couldn't see any of the babies, they were too young to be out of their burrows.

[shenmue]

4. Squeeeeeeeeeeee!

[oldandhappy]

5. Awwwww Too Cute!

Sweet.

[Luminous Animal]

6. I love penguins!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

7. Don't they look great?

Thanks for posting....had never seen baby penguins before.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

8. TEH CYOOOTNESS!!!

I plotzed!

[ReRe]

9. Awwwwwwww

I love Penguins. The weather outside is delightful and dig that "blue" nail polish! Thanks, OS.

[Fumesucker]

10. Cutie pies..

Reminded me of this..

[3catwoman3]

11. As if the other pics weren't cute enough, that short clip...

...is flat out adorable!

[mountain grammy]

12. Just, awwwwww.