The chick emerged from its egg on June 4, is now looked after by both its parents

Jun 16, 2014 22:57 GMT  ·  By
Baby African black-footed penguin born at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in the United States on June 4
   Baby African black-footed penguin born at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in the United States on June 4

Two African black-footed penguins living in captivity at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in the United States are now the proud parents of the adorable chick featured in the photo above.

The baby penguin emerged from its egg just days ago, on the morning of June 4, and Karoo and Messina, as its parents are named, are both looking after it and feeding it on a regular basis.

“The parents are doing a great job caring for the chick,” says keeper Aimee Greenebaum, as cited by Zoo Borns. Furthermore, “We enjoy seeing them be such attentive parents.”

At the time when it was born, the baby penguin weighed just 2.1 ounces (about 60 grams). However, it now tips the scales at 6.9 ounces (195 grams), and caretakers say this can only mean that it is thriving.

Despite being very young, the chick is already on exhibit. This means that, if they are lucky enough, visitors to the Monterey Bay Aquarium might just catch a glimpse of it.

However, it must be said that, as soon as the chick is strong and confident enough to get around all by itself, it will be moved off exhibit together with its parents.

The chick will remain there until caretakers are sure that it is not in danger of drowning or getting injured if allowed to hang out with the other members of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's penguin colony.