Great Plains Zoo welcomes new addition

An adorable new addition has hatched at the Great Plains Zoo.

This Humboldt penguin chick represents a vulnerable species, so the healthy chick is a reason to celebrate, according to the zoo.

The chick’s egg was laid by penguin Maya. Because Maya laid multiple eggs this spring, this one was given to Pippa and partner Quince to incubate.

The chick hatched June 16 and has been under close surveillance by the zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams. Caregivers said they’re happy with how the chick is progressing and will continue weekly health checkups.

Pippa and Quince have raised two chicks at the zoo – 4-year-old Paco and 2-year-old Rico – so the animal care team is confident they’ll take good care of this chick as well, they said.

“Fostering eggs is a practice used in penguin breeding colonies from time to time,” penguin area supervisor Kim Miller said.

“Sometimes, it takes a few tries and practice for penguins to learn how to incubate and hatch an egg successfully. Maya and El Nino are not yet very experienced with this process. When Maya laid two fertile eggs, we felt their best chance would be if they only had one egg to focus on. Pippa and Quince have mastered parenthood, so they were the best choice to foster the other egg. They had no trouble accepting the egg into their nest and taking over parental duties.”

In the next few weeks, guests will see the chick begin to leave its place beneath its parents and explore the penguin habitat. Vet staff also will do a blood draw soon — so stay tuned for the chick’s gender reveal.

In other zoo news, the area had some storm damage overnight, so the big cats are not on exhibit, and the boardwalk is closed today for repairs.