In late November, the Hertfordshire Zoo bird keepers arrived to find three new additions nestled within the penguin colony, lovingly cared for under the watchful care of parents Albert, Akiki, Tanesha, and Mkuze. Since their hatching, the chicks have thrived and grown robust under the attentive eyes of both their dedicated guardians and the bird-keeping team at Hertfordshire Zoo.
The birth of these penguin chicks elevates the Hertfordshire Zoo’s colony of African penguins to 21. These penguins, integral to the European Ex-situ programme (EEP), are a part of a governing body committed to safeguarding the health and genetic diversity of endangered species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognizes African penguins as Endangered due to environmental changes, making this breeding success a significant moment within the zoo community and for the species in the wild.
Hertfordshire Zoo remains steadfast in its support and contribution to the conservation of Endangered African penguins, actively collaborating with SANCCOB. This registered non-profit organization, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of ill, injured, abandoned, and oiled seabirds. Through these concerted efforts and partnerships with conservation charities, the park aims to ensure the continued existence of penguins and numerous other species for generations to come.
