There’s no better time to bring awareness to the Penguin species this International African Penguin Awareness Day on the 15th of this month, with the celebration of the hatching of two Endangered African Penguin chicks at Paradise Wildlife Park.

On the 11th of September 2022, Paradise’s bird keepers arrived to discover the two newest additions to their penguin colony snuggled under the feathers of the parents Albert and Akiki. The chicks have grown strong and healthy since hatching under the careful watchful eye of their parents and the bird-keeping team at Paradise Wildlife Park. With the first weigh-in yesterday, both twins around just over 1 kilo which is a great healthy number one month in!

The birth of the penguin chick twins brings Paradise Wildlife Parks colony of African penguins to 19. With the parents Albert and Akiki doing exceptionally well in caring for their young, including last year's chick Marli checking in too. Paradise Wildlife Parks, African penguins are part of the European Ex-situ programme (EEP). A governing body aimed at protecting and conserving the health and genetic pools of endangered species. As currently recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) African penguins are listed as Endangered due to changes in habitats and environment. This success within the breeding program is a positive moment within the zoo community and for their wild counterparts.

Paradise Wildlife Park supports and aids the conservation of Endangered African penguins in the wild through the work of SANCCOB. The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds; a registered non-profit organisation, whose primary objective is to reverse the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill, injured, abandoned and oiled seabirds. With the hope that through their efforts and support of conservation charities penguins like many other species will be around for generations to come.

Copenhagen Zookeepers observed their hippo pair mating on the 14^th of February, and that fits with the 8 months a hippo is typically pregnant. Officials can say with assurance that this is a little Valentine’s calf.

They don't know the gender yet, because mother and calf need a few days of peace and quiet before the vet can come for a maternity visit. The calf is limping a bit on one leg, so keepers are keeping a close eye on that. The hope is it’s just a bit delayed finding its footing.

In 1-2 weeks’ time the baby will probably be ready to go on to exhibit. First, mother and calf must have time to bond with each other, and the calf must learn to swim before it has access to the deep end of the pool with the rest of the herd.

Who can resist a little puggle snuggle on a Friday (or on a Thursday if you’re in the Western Hemisphere!)? Adelaide Zoo would like to introduce you to its newest arrival, Kathari (cut-tree), which means ‘prickle’ in Ngarrindjeri language.

The eight-week-old Short-beaked Echidna was named by Senior Indigenous Conservation Officer, Leon ‘Scornzy’ Dodd.

Twycross Zoo’s baby bonobo, Upendi, is 9 months old. We checked in with keeper Jen to find out how he's getting on...

Fiona and Fritz continue to bond and mom Bibi is allowing more of these interactions.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo has been delivered a tall order with two giraffe calves born into the breeding herd just one day apart early last week. The two new additions join 16- and 11week-old giraffe calves, Matata and Wayo, bringing the breeding herd size up to an incredible 13 individuals.

Grogu was born on exhibit inside Animals of the Night before the Memphis Zoo opened on Thursday, September 22nd. Veterinary staff confirmed his mother's pregnancy via ultrasound in June, and the gestation for aardvarks is about seven months. Grogu's mother is named Sunshine, and his father is named Boss. Grogu is being hand-reared by keepers, as aardvarks can accidentally hurt an infant while moving around a larger space. Grogu was about 3 lbs. 11 oz when he was born.

On August 12^th, Gdansk Zoo’s female cheetah, Vega, gave birth to 5 healthy kittens. This is an extraordinary event, because it is the first birth of this species at the zoo and the second this year among European zoos. The breeding of cheetahs in zoos is very difficult and requires both a large area of enclosure, as well as the experience of zookeepers. This year, after the second attempt, Gdansk succeeded, and after 90 days of gestation, they had new individuals of this endangered species. When they are grown enough to be fully vaccinated, they will be on view to guests along with their mother.

Baby chimp Maisie is only here for the box. Maryland Zoo.

Best buds! We love watching Maryland Zoo's 2-year-old Maisie and male chimp Alex interact.