Shedd Aquarium Welcomes 2 New Penguin Chicks

CHICAGO — If you haven't quite gotten your penguin fix at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago just welcomed two new baby chicks a bit further south.

The Shedd Aquarium introduced two Magellanic penguin chicks to the city on Thursday. They're staying behind the scenes for now while they grow and put on weight, but should be on view to the public in about three months.

In the meantime, two adult penguin pairs are raising the chicks by keeping them warm and fed since one hatched April 29 and the other May 5.

Magellanic and rockhopper penguins breed in the early spring. Last year, the aquarium hatched four Magellanic chicks: Porter, Popi, Dee and Sir Elio. The most recent babies don't have names yet but will be named once they grow more.

At birth, both hatchlings weighed about 89 grams. The Shedd's animal care team normally takes a back seat once the chicks are born, according to officials from the aquarium, to allow the chicks to bond with the adult penguins. They're on the sidelines to monitor hydration levels, weight and activity, though.

Magellanic penguins are listed as "nearly threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The two newest chicks are part of the Shedd's efforts in repopulating the species.

The Shedd Aquarium reopened in January, and might see even more hatchlings in the coming weeks, officials said.