A new penguin is waddling around at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, which welcomed its second chick of 2024 in December.
The Humboldt penguin chick hatched at the zoo on Dec. 15 with a weight of 72 grams and is the second baby of penguins Sharkbait and John Henry. Both the gender and name of the chick will be announced at a later time.
A Humboldt penguin chick was hatched at the Lincoln Children's Zoo on Dec. 15. As of Monday, the chick weighed 1,160 grams.
The chick is the third penguin to be hatched at the zoo. Its sibling, Percy, hatched in April 2024. An unrelated penguin, Pebbles, was born in May 2021.
Humboldt penguins typically hatch between 43 and 48 days after an egg is laid. Prior to Percy’s hatching, Sharkbait, the mother, had laid multiple unfertilized eggs. The zoo said both parents were very attentive during the incubation period, taking turns to keep the egg warm.
“Sharkbait and John Henry did a very good job taking care of Percy, but they definitely know what they are doing this time around and were not hesitant to jump right in and take care of their chick,†Dr. Ruth Marcec-Greaves, the zoo's general curator, said in a news release.
People are also reading…
The parents have been continuing to care for the chick behind the scenes and will remain out of the exhibit for the next few weeks as it continues to develop its waterproof feathers.
A Humboldt penguin chick was hatched at the Lincoln Children's Zoo on Dec. 15.
“The chick is very inquisitive and is trying to explore away from mom and dad early,†Marcec-Greaves said.
The zookeepers and veterinary staff are continuing to monitor the chick and its parents. As of Monday, the chick weighed 1,160 grams.
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program, which develops plans for breeding animals and facilitates transfers between zoos to maintain genetically diverse and biologically sound populations. Breeding recommendations for Sharkbait and John Henry were approved by coordinators of the plan.
“Lincoln Children’s Zoo plays an important role in animal conservation and protecting species from extinction,†Evan Killeen, the zoo's CEO, said in a release. “The birth of a vulnerable species such as the Humboldt penguins is incredibly important for these conservation efforts since they face a high risk of extinction in the wild.â€
The arrival of the latest penguin chick bookended a year filled with births in 2024 at the Lincoln Children's Zoo, including a giraffe in November, triplet red panda cubs in August, a spider monkey in MayÌý²¹²Ô»å a Humboldt penguin chick in April.
Updates about the penguin chick can be found on the zoo’s Ìý²¹²Ô»å Ìý²¹³¦³¦´Ç³Ü²Ô³Ù²õ.
Top Journal Star photos for January 2025
Two parkgoers fish through the ice of Holmes Lake on Monday at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln. Nebraska Game and Parks is reminding people to use caution and test the ice before venturing out onto frozen lakes or ponds.
Members of the media record Gov. Jim Pillen (bottom right) as he delivers his State of the State address Wednesday at the Capitol.
Nebraska's Christopher Minto reacts after defeating Minnesota's Andrew Sparks at 165 pounds Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
People attend a Lancaster County Board meeting Tuesday at the County-City Building. Opponents and supporters of a large solar farm planned for southern Lancaster County offered testimony for six hours on the proposed $600 million, 304-megawatt solar project, which Florida company NextEra Energy wants to build on 2,400 acres east of Hallam.
Zoe, 6, (left) and Betsy, 7, (right) spend time on the floor with their mother, Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln (center), during the first day of the legislative session Wednesday at the Capitol.
Volunteer Olivia Guynan takes Teddy the cat out of his cage on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at the Capital Humane Society Pieloch Pet Adoption Center.
Nebraska State Board of Education member Deborah Neary (left) listens as her colleague Elizabeth Tegtmeier discusses her qualifications to be board president during a board orientation meeting Thursday at the Nebraska Department of Education's Lincoln office.
Lincoln Southwest’s Jayven Mitchell (left) rebounds the ball next to Lincoln Southeast’s Uzziah Sanders on Friday at Lincoln Southwest High School.
Jordyn Bahl (center) is greeted by fellow Husker athlete Rebekah Allick after she leaves the podium in the Governor's Hearing Room on Friday at the Capitol. At left is Hannah Holtmeier, a UNL student. They spoke in support of a bill introduced by Sen. Kathleen Kauth (right) that would ban transgender individuals from certain bathrooms and locker rooms in the state.
Kevin Stocker (bottom right)a Nebraska Public Service commissioner, takes a phone call on the first day of the legislative session Wednesday at the Capitol.
Logan Sweet, a newly graduated firefighter recruit at Lincoln Fire and Rescue, introduces his 10-month-old daughter Lennon to Archie, a golden lab, and his handler Samantha Wilkins, an LFR firefighter and EMT, following an LFR badge ceremony for firefighter recruits Tuesday at Lincoln Firefighters Reception Hall. Eleven recruits and three canine teams received badges in the ceremony.
In addition to taking another run at property tax cuts this year, Gov. Jim Pillen said he will seek to ban Nebraska children from social media until they are 16 years old and bar cellphones from K-12 schools.
Penn State's Jayla Oden (12) and Nebraska's Britt Prince (23) battle for the ball during the first quarter of the game on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Casey Manka with The Tree Guys works to haul a Christmas tree into a chipper at Holmes Lake Park in the parking lot west of the north softball fields on Tuesday. The city of Lincoln is providing drop-off areas for anyone wishing to dispose of their trees.Â
Nebraska's Logan Nissley (2) and Amiah Hargrove (33) celebrate in the fourth quarter of the game against Michigan State on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Milford's Ayla Roth (4) dives to save the ball amid Malcolm defenders on Thursday at Malcolm High School.
Brandon Lenners snow blows the sidewalk outside of an apartment complex near Old Cheney and 84th street on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
Pius X's Austen Davis (24) gains possession of a rebound against Omaha Skutt's Libby Shotkoski (12) and Kamryn Kasner (34) in the first half on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Lincoln Pius X High School.
Quentin Shaw, assistant coordinator of legislative services, changes the nameplates in the Norris Chamber Friday. Senators return to the Capitol for the first session of the 109th Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday.
Lincoln North Star's Jakeyce Fowler (left) and Rieal Acin (5) celebrate during the fourth quarter of the game against Lincoln Southwest on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at Lincoln North Star High School.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7241 or ajohnson2@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ajohnson6170
Alyssa Johnson
Trending topics reporter
