An African penguin chick made its first appearance at Chimelong Penguin Hotel in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin on August 5. The chick is the first African penguin born in Guangdong.
The chick was named "A Ling" (阿零) after the Chinese word for "zero," marking Chimelong's first success in breeding African penguins. A Ling hatched on May 30 and weighed 90 grams the following day. It made its public appearance after completing its first molt.
During its first swim, A Ling was initially cautious but soon paddled with ease. Keepers stayed close throughout the session and limited its time in the water to ensure its safety.
Recognizable by the white band across their forehead and the distinctive loud call, African penguins face a serious threat to their survival. The global number of breeding pairs fell below 10,000 for the first time in 2023, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the species as critically endangered on its Red List in 2024.
Raising African penguin chicks requires careful temperature and health management. Chimelong keeper Wu Chuqun said keeping them warm is particularly challenging. A Ling developed digestive problems at 25 days old but recovered after 2 weeks of care.
Chimelong in Hengqin is now home to 31 African penguins. The park has bred several rare penguin species, including emperor penguins, and the park has the world's largest population of penguins on display in human care.
Alongside breeding and conservation research, Chimelong carries out public education programs on wildlife and biodiversity conservation.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photos | Hengqin Online
