Waddling Into the Record Books: Our Fifth Penguin Chick This Year!

Little Rock, (December 12, 2024) – We’re thrilled to share some fin-tastic news! On November 23, 2024, another penguin chick was hatched, marking a historic milestone for the Little Rock Zoo. This newest chick brings 2024 to a record-breaking total of five penguin chicks—more than doubling our previous annual high!

A Record-Breaking Year

2024 has been a landmark year for penguin conservation at the Little Rock Zoo. Five chicks have hatched into our African penguin colony, making this the most successful year yet, thanks to our dedicated care team and carefully managed breeding program. As African penguins are critically endangered, every new chick plays a vital role in the continued conservation of the species.

Earlier this spring, Finn was the first chick hatched, followed by three additional hatchlings this fall. Among them was Rosie (Chick A), our first chick to be successfully incubated artificially.

On November 30, 2024, we held a special gender reveal for the three chicks born this fall, announcing one female (Rosie) and two males (Wally and Shrimp). Identifying the sex of a penguin isn’t as simple as it sounds—it requires a blood sample and DNA testing. We’re still awaiting the results for the fifth chick born in November.

With this latest arrival, our African penguin colony now includes 23 penguins. This chick marks the 17th hatchling at the Zoo since the Penguin Pointe opened in 2011.

A big waddle of applause goes to Bugsy, Gable, Skipper, Eze, and our incredible care team for making 2024 a truly unforgettable year!

Protecting Penguins

African penguins are critically endangered, with a population that has declined by approximately 80% over the past 50 years. Threats such as overfishing, habitat destruction, and oil spills have contributed to their endangered status. The greatest current challenge is the depletion of their primary food source, sardines, which is caused by unsustainable fishing practices and shifting ocean climates.

At the Little Rock Zoo, we are committed to protecting African penguins through conservation efforts and educational programs. We partner with organizations like the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) to rescue, rehabilitate, and release penguins impacted by oil spills, injury, or abandonment.

We invite you to learn more about the challenges penguins face and discover ways to support their protection through initiatives like sustainable fishing and reducing single-use plastics—two key issues threatening penguin populations.

Can’t Get Enough Penguins?

To dive deeper into the penguin chicks' journey and the care that made their arrival possible, check out our previous post, Big News from the Little Rock Zoo: Three Penguin Chicks Hatch!.

Be sure to visit the Little Rock Zoo soon to catch a glimpse of the penguin chicks as they soon will start to explore Penguin Pointe. Your visit supports the Little Rock Zoo’s vital conservation, education, and animal care efforts.

If you or someone you love is a penguin enthusiast, check out our Penguin Experience! Don’t miss the chance to get up close and personal with our African penguins! Dive into their unique stories and learn more about this remarkable species.

Photo Credits: Penguin Keepers; Misty Waddle