Photo: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Hengqin celebrated the "graduation" of 22 emperor penguin chicks on January 4 as they have completed molting and are ready to join the adult colony.
Hatched between July and August 2025, the chicks now have waterproof black-and-white plumage and can swim and feed independently.
Photo: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
Photo: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
Chimelong's team carefully managed the chicks' transition, gradually introducing them to adults and guiding their swimming, while assisting first-time fathers with feeding and incubation when needed. All 22 chicks survived, setting a new world record for emperor penguin breeding under human care, and the colony now exceeds 200 birds, including second-generation chicks, forming a stable, sustainable population.
Photo: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
Photo: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom
Reporter: Zeng Xiangxing
Editor: Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
