The endangered Humboldt penguin parents, Pico and Bonita, are raising it. Bonita, the mother, was featured three years ago on the Animal Planet show “Growing Up Penguin.” The hour-long documentary followed her life from hatching to first swim to leaving the nest for good.
Because penguins do not have external sex organs, the chick's gender is not yet known.
"We won't know its sex until we do a blood test, or it lays an egg or it doesn't lay an egg," said penguin keeper Rick Yazzolino.
The chick's hatch weight was 2.8 ounces, and by April 4 it was already up to 10.4 ounces. The chick has been eating well and overall is "doing fantastic," according to Yazzolino.
Humboldt penguins are native to the warm coastal waters of Peru. Of the 17 penguin species, Humboldt penguins are among the most threatened.
