National Aviary welcomes 2 African Penguin chicks
The National Aviary announced some 'waddle-ful' news on Wednesday.
Two additional African Penguin chicks hatched in early February, which Aviary officials say marks 'another incredible step towards saving the newly up-listed Critically Endangered species from the brink of extinction.'
The first chick hatched on Feb. 7, followed by its younger sibling on Feb. 10. Both chicks continue to 'grow and thrive' in a behind-the-scenes habitat.
These chicks are the 11th and 12th hatched by parents Bette and Sidney.
The Aviary will continue to post updates on the new additions to the flock on its website.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
16 hours ago
- CBS News
National Aviary reveals genders of 2 new African penguin chicks
With the help of a scarlet macaw, the National Aviary revealed the genders of its newest African penguins on Tuesday. The National Aviary held a gender reveal party for the two penguins. The oldest penguin, which hatched on Feb. 7, is a boy, and the one that hatched a few days later on Feb. 10 is a girl. They're the 11th and 12th chicks fledged by parents Bette and Sidney. Red the scarlet macaw helped make the announcement on social media. She ripped open some "candies," which were "puzzle-like" objects made by the aviary's care staff. Red pulled a blue piece of paper out of one and a pink piece of paper out of the other. The aviary says there were also some of her favorite treats inside. (Photo: National Aviary) The penguins are growing up fast, and while they don't have names yet, they do have their juvenile feathers. The aviary said they're expected to officially join the colony at Penguin Point later this summer, as well as debut their new names. The National Aviary's African penguin colony lives in the Penguin Point habitat. They're a temperate species comfortable in a wide range of temperatures, making them well-suited for Pittsburgh's weather. The aviary says African penguins are considered critically endangered because of overfishing and human encroachment on their nesting grounds. The species could be functionally extinct in the wild by 2035, the aviary says. The National Aviary is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, meaning the members of Penguin Point play an important role in helping their species rebound and keeping the genetic lines of those in zoos strong, diverse and healthy.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Retired Diocese of Greensburg bishop dies after ‘cardiac incident'
A retired bishop who led the Diocese of Greensburg for just over a decade has died. He was 86. Bishop Larry Kulick shared on social media Saturday that Bishop Emeritus Lawrence E. Brandt suffered a 'cardiac incident' earlier in the week and underwent 'extensive' surgery, after which he was in critical condition. Bishop Brandt died on Sunday morning. The Diocese of Greensburg says Bishop Brandt led them through a series of 'major changes' between 2004 and 2015 as its fourth bishop. He's known for bolstering finances and addressing the declining number of Catholics, among several other initiatives. Bishop Kulick remembered Bishop Brandt as the man who asked him to study Canon Law, then later to assist him as an Episcopal Master of Ceremonies and Vicar General. 'He was incredibly disciplined, but that only fostered his spirituality and his ability to leave the Diocese in good order, both spiritually and financially,' Bishop Kulick said. Bishop Emeritus Ed Malesic remembered his predecessor fondly. 'When I was announced to be the next Bishop of Greensburg in 2015, Bishop Brandt was among the first to welcome me, and he did so with great warmth,' Bishop Malesic said in a Facebook post. 'He guided me along the way in a role that was very new to me and offered me wise advice when I asked for it. Bishop Brandt was a man of deep conviction and faith. He will be remembered by me as a man of courage and grace, always the gentleman.' Bishop Kulick pointed out that Bishop Brandt died on the Solemnity of Pentecost. 'It is fitting that the Lord called him on the day that we celebrate the birth of the Church,' he said. Recently retired Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik extended his condolences after learning of Bishop Brandt's death. 'I first came to know Bishop Brandt when he was the chancellor of the diocese of Erie, long before he became the Bishop of Greensburg,' his statement reads in part. 'During the nearly 30 years we have worked together, I came to know him as a man who truly loved Christ and His Body, the Church. May God quickly take him to the place prepared for him in heaven.' Funeral arrangements for Bishop Emeritus Brandt will be announced at a later date. Click here to read his full biography. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Cathedral of Learning's resident young falcons officially fledge
The Cathedral of Learning's resident peregrine falcons just passed a huge milestone. Three recently banded juvenile falcons who live in a nest box atop the cathedral have officially fledged, the National Aviary said Wednesday. The young falcons are the offspring of Carla and Ecco, the stars of the National Aviary's FalconCam. Leading up to their fledge, the young falcons could be seen on the FalconCam stretching and flapping their wings as they prepared for their first flights, the aviary says. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Cathedral of Learning peregrine falcon pair welcome 2 hatchlings on same day The fledglings can now be seen flying or perching around the cathedral. They will stay in their parents' territory for up to six weeks before they leave to find their new home, the aviary says. Thanks to the juveniles' recent banding, the aviary will be able to track the fledglings' future movements and activities. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
