Every now and again I like to post/share something completely different,
and this story is a little different,
it's about a fairy penguin!
Henry is world's smallest penguin's latest arrival
A rare penguin chick has hatched at a Dorset, UK aquarium, the latest success in a six-year-long breeding programme.
The little fairy penguin chick - named Henry - has been hand reared since recently hatching at Weymouth Sea Life Centre.
The centre is home to Europe's only breeding colony of little fairy penguins - the smallest species of penguin in the world.
Manager Seb Webster said the fluffy newcomer had been "tucking into his fish fillets from day one".
Also known as little blue penguins, little fairy penguins are blue-grey in colour and are native to New Zealand and Australia
Henry was the second of two eggs laid by proud parents Tyrion and Dandy, who are in their first breeding season as a couple.
The Sea Life Centre said the hatching was "a significant milestone" in its breeding programme.
It said Henry required "some gentle assistance" from the centre's animal care team after struggling to break free from his shell.
Henry has taken to solid food immediately after his first feed, a positive sign that required no transition period with liquidised meals.
Henry brings the total number of little penguins at Weymouth to 42.
The colony was established in 2018 when 25 of the animals were moved from Australia.
The facility was the first in Europe to successfully breed the species.
Webster said: "Watching him break free from his shell, with a little helping hand from our animal care experts, was an incredibly special moment.
"Henry's successful hatching is a wonderful testament to six years of dedicated breeding work here at Sea Life Weymouth.
"As Europe's only little penguin colony, every new arrival is significant."
Words and image from article here
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You may like to see my older post from 2015 about Pingu - my olive penguin!
read it here
33 comments:
How sweet is this? I never heard of fairy penguins before.
...Hi Henry!
Dear Jan, Henry is absolutely adorable! What a delightful post! Thank you so much for sharing!
That is so exciting. And I didn't realize the chicks were so black. Happy new week.
What a lovely event! Henry is so cute!
Awe, he is so CUTE!
what an absolute miracle, so precious. at first sight i could not figure out what is was!!
How cute that little penguin is!!! Amazing that there are now over 40 baby fairy penguins.
So precious! Love the story and all the dedicated people helping this species to survive. A happy story! x K
Uplifting to hear good news.
Interesting and lovely little creature. We have a few places down here where people can see little fairy penguins.
How sweet the little one is, and it's wonderful that he's doing well. Thank you for this interesting report, and the other one too!
Happy day, hugs, Elke
Que amor! Tão lindo e alegre post! Adorei! beijos, chica
I think we need more Fairy Penguins in the world today!
I hope Henry has a long and happy penguin life!
What a sweet post...to think it's been hand cared for since birth...wow. And by the way, I liked your Olive Penguin. :) xx
Aww Jan he is gorgeous :-D
I love penguins, so this post is much appreciated.
Nice to meet you, Henry!
What a cutie!
I love penguins, though I gather they're quite smelly close to. Henry is so sweet.
I liked Pingu, too.
Oh, this is absolutely adorable! 🐧✨ Little fairy penguin chick Henry already sounds like a star. I love that you share something completely different every now and then — it keeps things fresh and full of surprises.
A story about a fairy penguin? That’s pure magic and charm right there. Can’t wait to hear more about little Henry and his tiny, fluffy adventures! 💙
This is pure joy. Henry has a strong name and with all of the care will grow strong as well.
Henry is a cutie! I have never heard of a fairy penguin.
Take care, enjoy your day!
So sweet!
Hello Henry, you are precious!!!
I have never heard of these types of penguins but I am now OBSESSED with them!
Henry’s successful hatching highlights the value of sustained, expert breeding programmes in protecting vulnerable species while giving the public a rare glimpse of the world’s smallest penguins.
Henry is adorable. Never heard of these before!
Uy que lindo. Te mando un beso.
He's just the cutest! I didn't know about this species of penguin!
So sweet...I have seen them in the past thru some birder friends..So glad that he is doing well..
Awww such a little cutie, hope he continues to do well!
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