Safari park welcomes two newly hatched penguin chicks
Safari park staff are 'absolutely thrilled' to have welcomed two newly hatched penguin chicks into the world.
Blair Drummond Safari Park in Stirling said the Humboldt penguins hatched in April, after a 40-day incubation period, and are now being cared for by park keepers and their parents.
They are living inside specially made nest boxes, meaning park visitors will not yet be able to see them, but park officials said they are growing quickly and are in good health.
The first chick hatched on April 25 to parents Penny and Izzy, with the second just a few days later on April 29 to parents Pete and Bertie.
Humboldt penguins are native to South America and are classed as vulnerable, with around 24,000 mature penguins left in the wild.
Penguin chicks can weigh as little as 80 grams and teams regularly check their weight to ensure they are developing at the appropriate speed.
Once they moult their grey baby feathers, they begin to venture outside and join the rest of the colony.
Jen Carpenter, penguin team leader at Blair Drummond Safari Park, said: 'We're absolutely thrilled to welcome this year's chicks.
'It's always a joy to see the hard work of our penguin pairs pay off, and these little ones are getting the very best start to life.
'Every successful hatch is a step forward for the species, and we're proud to play our part.
'We can't wait to share their journey as they grow and eventually waddle out to meet the rest of the colony.'
Humboldt penguins are classed as vulnerable in the wild, with populations declining due to habitat loss, overfishing, and climate change.
The chicks have not been named yet, but followers can keep an eye on the Park's social media channels for the big name reveal, plus plenty of behind-the-scenes updates and milestones.
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This affects the country's coastal resilience, as mangroves reduce wave energy and storm surges, helping to prevent flooding, and it damages biodiversity, as they are serve as nurseries for fish and provide essential habitat for species like crocodiles. As this territory shrinks, crocodiles are forced closer to humans. 'These animals are ending up in places they've always lived,' Henriques says. 'But now those places are towns and roads … We've taken their habitat.' To Henriques, the crocodile isn't a menace — it's a keystone species that has been on the island for millions of years. It even features on the Jamaican coat of arms, which shows a crocodile perched atop a royal helmet and mantling, designed to symbolize the island's unique wildlife and natural heritage. 'They're like engineers of the ecosystem,' he says. 'They dig channels, control fish populations and keep the wetlands healthy.' 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When reports of a crocodile in a pool of water near a school caused panic among parents and children, NEPA directed its outreach efforts toward local students. 'We told them: crocodiles would rather run (from you) than rush (towards) you,' he says. 'If you're near water at night, walk with a stick. If the animal is touched, it moves.' Henriques added: 'People are beginning to understand these animals have a place … They're not pests. They're survivors.' Still, the sanctuary is one of only a few conservation efforts on the island, and without continued support, Henriques fears Jamaica's crocodiles may not survive the next few decades. 'We can't afford to lose them,' he says. 'They've been here longer than we have. They're part of this land.'