A new member joins the penguin family in Mazatlán, marking a milestone in the conservation efforts of this species.
According to the aquarium, the chick is the result of the clutch of two eggs laid by Yuno and Capi, a pair of penguins that are part of the resident colony.
This event, celebrated as a significant achievement, is the result of the dedicated work of the Gran Acuario Mazatlán team in the care and preservation of wildlife.
This news was shared through the Aquarium’s social networks, “The first Mazatlan penguin was born at the Gran Acuario Mazatlán. Yuno and Capi, one of the friendly couples of the penguin colony, have just become parents,” the publication mentions.
The process began on November 7, when two eggs were detected in the couple’s nest. After performing ovoscopies, a procedure that allows verifying the fertility of the eggs, it was confirmed that one of them contained developing embryonic tissue.
After approximately 40 days of incubation, on December 17 last year, the little penguin broke the shell, marking a moment of great significance for the team of caretakers and veterinarians at the aquarium.
The birth of the chick was the result of meticulous work by the Gran Acuario Mazatlán team. According to the institution, technical and structural adjustments were made to the penguins’ habitat to ensure ideal conditions for reproduction.
These improvements included adjustments to the temperature, lighting and layout of the space, key factors for the penguins to feel comfortable and safe enough to nest.
The behavior of the parents has also been fundamental in the success of this process. Since the chick was born, Yuno, the father, has remained close to his chick, showing a remarkable protective instinct. For her part, Capi, the mother, has taken on the task of covering the nest, ensuring that the little one remains warm and protected.
On December 18, just one day after its birth, the Gran Acuario Mazatlán chick underwent its first medical checkup. During the checkup, veterinarians recorded an initial weight of 108 grams and a wing length of 4 centimeters.
“Expert penguin keepers remain on call 24 hours a day, providing the greatest care to the new family,” the aquarium highlighted on social media.
Since its birth, the chick has shown significant growth, reaching a weight of 1,330 kilograms in the following weeks. Its father Yuno, as in previous reproductive seasons, has assumed a prominent paternal role, reinforcing his reputation within the colony.
Although the chick’s gender has not yet been determined, the aquarium announced the organization of a contest to choose its name. This initiative seeks to involve the community in the celebration of the event, fostering greater awareness about species conservation.
The Humboldt penguin, to which this chick belongs, is an endemic species of the coasts of Peru and Chile, living from Foca Island in northern Peru to Guafo Island in southern Chile, according to data from the environmental organization The Nature Conservancy.
Their survival depends on the cold waters of the Humboldt Current, which provide them with food and safe nesting sites. In addition, they play a key role in the marine ecosystem, since as predators they regulate the populations of their prey, contributing to the ecological balance. They are also part of the food chain, being prey for sea lions and sharks.
Despite their ecological importance, Humboldt penguins face multiple threats. Among them are the effects of climate change, especially the El Niño phenomenon, which affects their access to food and nesting areas.
They also suffer risks from human activities such as bycatch, marine pollution and illegal trafficking.
Source: infobae
