Mystic Aquarium Announces First Swim and Gender Reveal of Three African Penguin Chicks

Mystic Aquarium is celebrating a major milestone for three critically endangered African penguin chicks born earlier this year as they prepare to take their first official swim and debut on the outdoor penguin habitat. 

The three chicks, hatched at the end of January as part of the Aquarium’s participation in the African Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP), are now just under four months old and ready to join the colony habitat for guests to see.

The Aquarium is also excited to announce the chicks’ names and genders:

• Brown/Grey — Female
• Brown/Yellow — Female
• Brown/Green — Male

Like all penguins at Mystic Aquarium, the chicks are identified by unique colored bead combinations on their bands, allowing animal care staff to easily identify each individual within the colony of more than 30 African penguins in the Aquarium’s care.

Over the past several months, the chicks have been carefully nurtured behind the scenes by both their parents and Aquarium trainers. During their first two months, the chicks remained primarily on the nest under the care of their parents before transitioning to learning feeding behaviors with the Aquarium’s animal care team. Trainers also introduced the chicks to water gradually through supervised splash pad sessions before today’s official first swim.

“Welcoming these three African penguin chicks is an exciting milestone not only for Mystic Aquarium, but for the future of this critically endangered species,” said Tracy Camp, Assistant Curator, Birds at Mystic Aquarium. “These chicks serve as important ambassadors for ocean conservation, helping inspire guests to connect with wildlife and understand the urgent need to protect African penguins in the wild.”

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) African Penguin Species Survival Plan coordinates breeding efforts among 52 accredited zoos and aquariums across North America, including Mystic Aquarium. The program works to maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population of African penguins in human care while supporting conservation efforts for the species in the wild.

African penguins are currently listed as Critically Endangered, with populations declining rapidly due to overfishing, habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. Conservationists warn the species could face extinction in the wild within the next 15 years if significant action is not taken.

In addition to caring for its colony in Mystic, Aquarium staff travel to South Africa annually to assist with African penguin rescue and rehabilitation efforts, applying the expertise gained through working directly with the species. 

Guests visiting Mystic Aquarium can now watch the young penguins explore their habitat, interact with the colony, and develop the swimming skills critical to their survival.

For more information, visit Mystic Aquarium at www.mysticaquarium.org.

ABOUT MYSTIC AQUARIUM
Mystic Aquarium, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is one of the world's leading aquariums, offering exemplary care to a variety of species while also serving as the Northeast's premier marine animal rescue and rehabilitation center. Robust conservation and education programming and unparalleled visitor experiences strengthen personal connections to the animals and their environments. Mystic Aquarium's mission is to protect aquatic life and empower communities to save our oceans, and introduces approximately 800,000 visitors annually to thousands of animals through structured interpretation, especially curated exhibits, and hands-on interactions. As a leading research organization, Mystic Aquarium employs a full staff of scientists engaged in projects focused on our ocean planet's conservation and sustainability.