Aww! They are so adorable..
The Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove at Bird Paradise recently welcomed three new residents, marking an exciting development for the park. According to a media release by Mandai Wildlife Group, “A one-year-old female northern rockhopper penguin, Pascale, arrived from Australia on 28 Nov.” Additionally, “two Gentoo penguin chicks hatched on 25 and 27 Nov, marking an exciting first for the park.”
Anaïs Tritto, Assistant Vice President of Mandai Wildlife Group, shared insights into the challenges faced by the new parents, stating, “As first-time parents, Riki and Peach may not have the experience to successfully raise two chicks simultaneously. This is a natural behavior also observed in the wild, where sometimes only one chick survives.”
While the penguin care team has stepped in to hand-raise one of the chicks to ensure its survival, Ms Tritto noted that the pair is also “adjusting beautifully to parenthood” and doing well in caring for their firstborn.
Visitors to Penguin Cove have the opportunity to witness the chicks’ development, with one nestled snugly beneath its parents and the other visible during feeding times. It’s a significant moment for the park, and the penguin care team will closely monitor both chicks during the critical early stages of their development.
Describing Pascale as having a “boisterous personality,” she was brought to Bird Paradise because the specialized cold saltwater habitat at Penguin Cove is ideal for meeting the long-term needs of her species under human care. Keepers are hopeful that Pascale will bond with Pierre, the park’s only other northern rockhopper penguin, during her two-week isolation period before joining the Penguin Cove habitat in mid-December.
“Pascale’s arrival marks a new chapter for Pierre, and we look forward to seeing how they would interact and bond,” said Ms Tritto.
The addition of these new penguin residents brings a wave of excitement to Bird Paradise Singapore, offering visitors the opportunity to witness the growth and development of these charming creatures in their care.
