Critically endangered penguin chicks born at Michigan zoo - and there is a contest to name them
The facility announced the hatching Tuesday, although the male chicks were born in December.
'Born just before Christmas to first-time parents Blake and Melody, these two male chicks mark a major milestone for our penguin colony,' the zoo wrote.
While the brothers have been out and about for a few months, they have yet to be named.
After narrowing down their options, the zoo is asking its patrons to help them pick them. Choices include 'Damien' and 'Scramble,' 'Omelet' and 'Hamlet,' 'Eggs Benedict' and 'Quiche,' and 'Flip' and 'Flop.'
Voting for the names is open through March 20. The zoo does not open for the season until April 25, and the chicks will be introduced to the public later in the year.
Earlier this year, New Jersey's Adventure Aquarium announced the births of chicks Gabby and Shubert. They have also stayed behind the scenes and only recently went on their first swim.
Both announcements come as the species faces severe challenges in the wild, and conservationists worry about their future.
African penguins have declined by nearly 70 percent over the course of the last century mainly due to overfishing that impacts their food supply. Habitat destruction and climate change are also contributing factors.
Global warming leads to shifts in the marine and atmospheric environments that alter the availability of their preferred sardines and anchovies. Some may swim as far as 550 miles away to hunt, according to Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo.
Severe storms and coastal flooding can damage nesting sites, the International Fund for Animal Welfare says.
They are also affected by bird flu, which is continuing to spread rapidly around the world, including to other penguins.
There are just around 19,800 mature African penguins left in their geographic range along the coast of Africa, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and only 9,900 breeding pairs. Their numbers continue to decrease by 2 percent each year, the California Academy of Sciences says. The majority of the world's penguin species are currently considered vulnerable or endangered.
African penguins are relatively small compared to Emperor and King penguins. The birds have black beaks and faces and speckled white bellies. They grow to over 2 feet tall, and weigh up to 11 pounds, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.
They can live for up to 20 years, breeding on rocky ground and excavating nest burrows. They've been known to live longer in protected environments such as zoos.
'These chicks represent hope for the future of their species, and we are committed to their care and conservation,' the Saginaw Children's Zoo said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
Foreign, feral honeybees are crowding out native bee species in southern California
LOS ANGELES - You've probably heard the phrase: "Save the bees." But new research suggests we may need to be more specific about which bees we're saving. Europeans introduced western honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) to the Americas in the early 1600s. They play an essential role in pollinating crops and flowering plants, and are often hailed as the "unsung heroes of our planet." They are both omnivorous and omnipresent: Researchers have found that western honeybees visit more plant species than any other species of pollinator and are the most common visitor to plants in non-managed habitats worldwide, accounting for nearly 13% of all floral visitors. The problem is that this dominance may be coming at the cost of some native pollinators. That's what caught the attention of Joshua Kohn, a former biology professor at UC San Diego. "Pollination biologists in general in North America tend to ignore western honeybees because they're not native," he said. "But when I saw just how abundant they were, I thought to myself: They're not just a nuisance, they're the story." In San Diego County - a global bee biodiversity hotspot - feral honeybee populations have quietly exploded in number since the late 1960s. Many of these bees trace their ancestry to a hybrid of European and African subspecies, the latter known for traits that boost survival in hot, dry climates - places with mild winters and vegetation that blooms year-round. In other words, perfect for Southern California, where previously domesticated populations became feral colonies that thrived independent of human management, nesting in rock crevices, abandoned rodent burrows and other natural cavities. However, despite their population growth and spread, researchers don't know much about these bees' pollen consumption, or the extent to which their foraging habits may be displacing native species. A new study published July 7 in the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity seeks to address that knowledge gap. Drawing from field surveys in San Diego's coastal scrubland, researchers at UC San Diego found that feral honeybees - non-native, unmanaged descendants of domesticated bees - may be monopolizing local ecosystems and effectively squeezing out native pollinators such as bumblebees. In total, these feral bees now comprise about 90% of all bees in the area, according to the study. "It's like going to the Amazon rainforest to bird-watch and seeing only pigeons," said James Hung, an ecologist at the University of Oklahoma and co-author of the study. "I was shocked. This was supposed to be a biodiversity hotspot - but all we were seeing were honeybees." The team also wanted to understand how honeybee foraging affected pollen availability for native species, and what that might mean for the latter's ability to reproduce successfully. The researchers looked at how honeybees interacted with three native plants: black sage, white sage and distant phacelia. They found that in just two visits, a western honeybee could remove more than 60% of the pollen from these flowers. By the end of a single day for all three plant species analyzed, more than 80% of all pollen was gone. The problem is that this leaves almost no pollen for native bees. Kohn, a co-author of the study, explained that while western honeybees are prolific foragers, they aren't always the most effective pollinators. His previous research suggests plants pollinated by these bees often produce less fit offspring, in part due to inbreeding. This is because western honeybees tend to visit many flowers on the same plant before moving on - a behavior that increases the risk of self-fertilization. What this means for the broader plant community is still unclear, Kohn said. "But it's likely that the offspring of plants would be more fit if they were pollinated by native pollinators. It's possible that if honeybees were not in the system that there'd be more bumblebees, which visit flowering plants much more methodically." Kohn emphasized that the findings aren't an argument against honeybee conservation, especially given their importance to agriculture. However, they do suggest we may need to reconsider how to manage domesticated western honeybee populations. When used for agricultural pollination, managed honeybees are often brought into an area temporarily in what's called a mobile apiary: essentially, dozens or hundreds of hives kept on a trailer or platform, moved from place to place, wherever pollination is needed. While this is essential for crops, stripping nectaring plants of resources before native species have a chance to feed could lead to their decimation. Hung suggested designating specific forage zones for commercial beekeeping - ideally in areas less vulnerable to ecological disruption - as a way to offset that pressure. "If we can identify ecosystems that are less sensitive to disturbance - those with a lower number of endemic plant or pollinator species - we could scatter seed mixes and produce way more flowers than any comparable habitat nearby," he said. "Then, we could set aside some acres of land for beekeepers to come and park their bees and let them forage in a way that does not disrupt the native ecosystem. This would address the conflict between large-scale managed honeybee populations and the wild bees that they could potentially be impacting." Rather than replacing crop pollination, the idea would be to offer alternative foraging options that keep honeybees from spilling into and dominating natural areas. Longer-term, Hung said scientists may need to consider more direct forms of intervention, such as relocation or eradication. "Honeybees have dug their roots very deep into our ecosystem, so removing them is going to be a big challenge," he said. But at some point, he believes, it may be necessary to protect native plants and pollinators. In the words of Scott Black, director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, "Keeping honeybees to 'save the bees' is like raising chickens to save birds." Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Scientists raise red flags after US lake sets shocking world record: 'We are worried'
Late in 2024, scientists announced they had discovered world-record levels of toxic "forever chemicals" in a New Mexico lake. Their newest study confirmed the results and analyzed the factors that contributed to this contamination. The research expanded on the first study to examine PFAS contamination in the waters of Holloman Lake along with soils, plants, algae, fish, reptiles, and various species of birds and mammals, according to a summary from the University of New Mexico published by All the samples had very high PFAS concentrations, up to or exceeding 10,000 times what the Environmental Protection Agency recommends in its drinking water standards. Lake waters showed the highest concentration of PFAS anywhere in the world to date, as did one plant composite sample. The team also discovered the highest PFAS concentration recorded in a bird to date. The scientists found that the contamination extends beyond the lake itself, and they linked this to past flooding events. For instance, the most contaminated soil sample was located downstream from the lake. In the past, water from the lake sometimes flowed past a dam and into a network of playas — "shallow, generally circular, depressions with clay-lined basins" that "form at the lowest point in an enclosed watershed" and often serve as temporary lakes, according to the university. The scientists don't know how contaminated the playas in the area might be but stated that they can serve as important habitats for migratory birds. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been linked to a number of health concerns, including decreased fertility, increased risk of cancer, and reduced ability of the body's immune system to fight infections. The scientists are worried that migratory birds will become heavily contaminated at Holloman Lake and then move on to other areas, putting hunters and people elsewhere at risk. They also recorded a herd of oryx — a nonnative African big-game species that was released in the region from 1969 and 1977 — visiting the lake to drink and are worried that hunters could ingest contaminated meat. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The Santa Fe New Mexican added that consuming just one bite of meat from a Holloman Lake duck would expose someone to more PFAS than is recommended for a lifetime. "We are worried about the possibility of toxicity on reproduction and development in local birds, some of them sensitive species like the snowy plover," study lead author Jean-Luc Cartron said. "Contamination by PFAS could also be transgenerational, with contamination affecting not just animals living at or visiting Holloman Lake but also future generations." Though Holloman is the most PFAS-laden lake discovered so far, there are a number of other large water bodies contaminated with these chemicals. For instance, one study found forever chemicals all over the Great Lakes Basin, including in air, rain, and water. In January, the New Mexico Department of Health issued an advisory for anyone who has eaten or captured wildlife from Holloman Lake in the past decade, urging them to speak to their medical provider. Hunting has been prohibited there since 2024. And though PFAS are known for being difficult to remove from the environment, scientists have made breakthroughs, which could help safeguard people and wildlife in the future. For instance, researchers at the University of Illinois found a way to remove the full spectrum of PFAS from water in a single process, and a team at the University of Rochester is doing similar work. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Foreign, feral honeybees are crowding out native bee species in southern California
You've probably heard the phrase: 'Save the bees.' But new research suggests we may need to be more specific about which bees we're saving. Europeans introduced western honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) to the Americas in the early 1600s. They play an essential role in pollinating crops and flowering plants, and are often hailed as the 'unsung heroes of our planet.' They are both omnivorous and omnipresent: Researchers have found that western honeybees visit more plant species than any other species of pollinator and are the most common visitor to plants in non-managed habitats worldwide, accounting for nearly 13% of all floral visitors. The problem is that this dominance may be coming at the cost of some native pollinators. That's what caught the attention of Joshua Kohn, a former biology professor at UC San Diego. 'Pollination biologists in general in North America tend to ignore western honeybees because they're not native,' he said. 'But when I saw just how abundant they were, I thought to myself: They're not just a nuisance, they're the story.' In San Diego County — a global bee biodiversity hotspot — feral honeybee populations have quietly exploded in number since the late 1960s. Many of these bees trace their ancestry to a hybrid of European and African subspecies, the latter known for traits that boost survival in hot, dry climates — places with mild winters and vegetation that blooms year-round. In other words, perfect for Southern California, where previously domesticated populations became feral colonies that thrived independent of human management, nesting in rock crevices, abandoned rodent burrows and other natural cavities. However, despite their population growth and spread, researchers don't know much about these bees' pollen consumption, or the extent to which their foraging habits may be displacing native species. A new study published July 7 in the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity seeks to address that knowledge gap. Drawing from field surveys in San Diego's coastal scrubland, researchers at UC San Diego found that feral honeybees — non-native, unmanaged descendants of domesticated bees — may be monopolizing local ecosystems and effectively squeezing out native pollinators such as bumblebees. In total, these feral bees now comprise about 90% of all bees in the area, according to the study. 'It's like going to the Amazon rainforest to bird-watch and seeing only pigeons,' said James Hung, an ecologist at the University of Oklahoma and co-author of the study. 'I was shocked. This was supposed to be a biodiversity hotspot — but all we were seeing were honeybees.' Read more: A colony of bees is living at this SoCal mall. The landlord couldn't be happier The team also wanted to understand how honeybee foraging affected pollen availability for native species, and what that might mean for the latter's ability to reproduce successfully. The researchers looked at how honeybees interacted with three native plants: black sage, white sage and distant phacelia. They found that in just two visits, a western honeybee could remove more than 60% of the pollen from these flowers. By the end of a single day for all three plant species analyzed, more than 80% of all pollen was gone. The problem is that this leaves almost no pollen for native bees. Kohn, a co-author of the study, explained that while western honeybees are prolific foragers, they aren't always the most effective pollinators. His previous research suggests plants pollinated by these bees often produce less fit offspring, in part due to inbreeding. This is because western honeybees tend to visit many flowers on the same plant before moving on — a behavior that increases the risk of self-fertilization. What this means for the broader plant community is still unclear, Kohn said. 'But it's likely that the offspring of plants would be more fit if they were pollinated by native pollinators. It's possible that if honeybees were not in the system that there'd be more bumblebees, which visit flowering plants much more methodically.' Kohn emphasized that the findings aren't an argument against honeybee conservation, especially given their importance to agriculture. However, they do suggest we may need to reconsider how to manage domesticated western honeybee populations. When used for agricultural pollination, managed honeybees are often brought into an area temporarily in what's called a mobile apiary: essentially, dozens or hundreds of hives kept on a trailer or platform, moved from place to place, wherever pollination is needed. While this is essential for crops, stripping nectaring plants of resources before native species have a chance to feed could lead to their decimation. Hung suggested designating specific forage zones for commercial beekeeping — ideally in areas less vulnerable to ecological disruption — as a way to offset that pressure. 'If we can identify ecosystems that are less sensitive to disturbance — those with a lower number of endemic plant or pollinator species — we could scatter seed mixes and produce way more flowers than any comparable habitat nearby,' he said. 'Then, we could set aside some acres of land for beekeepers to come and park their bees and let them forage in a way that does not disrupt the native ecosystem. This would address the conflict between large-scale managed honeybee populations and the wild bees that they could potentially be impacting.' Rather than replacing crop pollination, the idea would be to offer alternative foraging options that keep honeybees from spilling into and dominating natural areas. Read more: How AI and robot hives are lowering the risk of bee colony collapse in California Longer-term, Hung said scientists may need to consider more direct forms of intervention, such as relocation or eradication. 'Honeybees have dug their roots very deep into our ecosystem, so removing them is going to be a big challenge,' he said. But at some point, he believes, it may be necessary to protect native plants and pollinators. In the words of Scott Black, director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, 'Keeping honeybees to 'save the bees' is like raising chickens to save birds.' This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
