First Penguins Hatched in Mississippi Hatch at Mississippi Aquarium

GULFPORT, Miss. – Penguin Awareness Day was celebrated in more ways than one at Mississippi Aquarium this year with the hatch of their very first penguin chick.

Mississippi Aquarium crew braved the snowstorm to arrive at the aquarium’s Aquatic Research Center for their normal duties only to spot a new addition to the team, African Penguin Chick 1. Penguin Chick 1 hatched to penguin parents, Pumpkin and Blue on January 20.

On January 25, the colony grew again with the hatch of African Penguin Chick 2, hatching to surrogate parents, Fiona and Duke. These chicks are the first penguins to hatch in the state of Mississippi.

African Penguins are one of the most endangered penguin species and are in urgent need of conservation intervention. African penguins are now classified as a critically endangered species with less than 10,000 breeding pairs left in the wild. The aquarium’s colony of African Penguins have an important job to act as ambassadors for their species. Caring for this species allows Mississippi Aquarium to educate guests and spread the bird’s conservation message.

“The whole crew here at Mississippi Aquarium is overjoyed to welcome the newest members of our Mississippi Aquarium family,” said Kurt Allen, President and CEO of Mississippi Aquarium. “This is such an amazing accomplishment and a true testament to the phenomenal care our African Penguins receive here by our passionate and knowledgeable staff.” “The chicks are still very delicate but are growing every day,” said Vice President of Veterinary Services and Research, Dr. Alexa Delaune. “We keep a close eye on the chicks and examine them every other day to make sure they’re growing and developing properly. The penguin parents are doing a great job so far.”

Mississippi Aquarium plans to continue to share updates on the penguin chicks through their social media channels with Project Penguin supporters receiving exclusive updates.

As Mississippi Aquarium’s fundraising efforts continue for the on-campus penguin habitat, visitors can meet one of the adult colony members by booking a penguin encounter or through special events.

The on-campus penguin habitat will be a place where everyone can view these charismatic creatures as they grow and continue to thrive. $1.5 million is still needed of the $9 million total for the habitat build. Businesses or individuals wanting to be a part of Project Penguin can visit the aquarium website or connect with Whitney Sumrall, wsumrall@msaquarium.org.

For more information on the baby penguins, penguin encounters, and Project Penguin, visit https://www.msaquarium.org/p/join-and-give/ways-to-give/project-penguin.