AssetID: 54892219
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Same-Sex Penguin Couple Hatch Rare Chick At Zoo
Caption: Same-Sex Penguin Couple Hatch Rare Chick At Zoo. A same-sex Humboldt penguin couple at Chester Zoo have hatched and are raising their very own adopted chick. LGBTQ+ lovebirds Scampi and Flounder stepped in to help raise one of two eggs laid by another penguin pair, Wotsit and Peach. The zoo's bird experts carefully shared the eggs between the two nests to help give both chicks the best possible start and help improve chances of successful fledging. The new chick is one of ten new Humboldt arrivals at the zoo - who have all been named after constellations and celestial wonders. The chicks began hatching from their eggs between 16 – 28 April 2025 and have spent their first few weeks of life tucked away in their nest burrows. Chester's penguin parents are provided with plenty of extra fish, which the adult penguins swallow, blend into a protein-rich soup and then regurgitate to feed the chicks. Thanks to Scampi, Flounder and other penguin couples' expert parenting, keepers say the chicks are just 'days away' from taking the plunge into their very first swimming lessons, a special milestone where they'll be seen taking to the water alongside their parents. This year's cohort have been named after stars and celestial wonders, with keepers dubbing eight of the chicks Ursa, Alcyone, Quasar, Orion, Dorado, Cassiopeia, Altair and Xena. The final two chicks are yet to be named, with the public being asked to help choose their names via a special vote across the zoo's social media channels.
Keywords: Natural World,same-sex,penguin,couple,rare,chick,zoo,Chester Zoo,adopted,LGBTQ+,lovebirds,eggs,parents,swimming,fledging,gay,animals,birds
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