The most recent member of the Aquarium of Niagara’s penguin colony is making his public debut in honor of Penguin Consciousness Day, and his arrival additionally brings a budding fowl romance to Western New York.
“Timmy” arrived in October from Brookfield Zoo Chicago as a part of a coordinated effort amongst accredited zoos and aquariums to guard susceptible species and preserve genetically various populations beneath human care. By way of the Affiliation of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Humboldt penguins, Timmy was recognized as a possible match for one of many Aquarium’s well-known residents, Jules.
“Timmy’s arrival displays the cautious planning and collaboration that happen amongst accredited zoos and aquariums to advertise animal wellbeing throughout generations,” stated Chad Fifer, president and CEO of the Aquarium of Niagara. “By sharing tales like Timmy and Jules’, we are able to encourage curiosity and conservation consciousness whereas showcasing the excessive degree of care these animals obtain daily.”
Jules’ brother, Smitty, made headlines late final 12 months when he was chosen to maneuver to Pittsburgh to start his personal seek for a mate, and now, it’s Jules’ flip to attempt her luck in love, with just a little assist from the devoted animal care group on the Aquarium.
Upon his arrival, Timmy joined Jules in a chosen area off exhibit the place the 2 might get to know one another beneath cautious statement by the Aquarium group with out the boisterous social dynamics of the broader colony. Over the course of the following two months, group members noticed Timmy and Jules start to show the behaviors of a mated pair. Now that each birds have rejoined the colony, the group is hopeful their connection will proceed to develop right into a lifelong bond and probably result in future chicks.
“Introducing two penguins is a cautious, gradual course of, and Timmy and Jules have proven encouraging indicators from the beginning,” stated Hallie Torre, curator of marine mammals & birds. Seeing them interact in behaviors like contact calling and mutual preening tells us they’re comfy with each other, and whereas we by no means rush these relationships, we’re optimistic as they proceed to settle in with the colony.”
Timmy and Jules each have distinctive and essential histories. Jules represents a milestone for the Aquarium of Niagara. She hatched in 2020 alongside her brother, Smitty, turning into one of many first chicks born on the Aquarium in additional than 14 years. Their hatching adopted a $3.5 million funding within the penguin exhibit and the Aquarium’s profitable AZA accreditation, which enabled the Aquarium to welcome new penguins from different services and restart breeding efforts.
Timmy’s journey started when his egg was transferred from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to Brookfield Zoo Chicago, the place he hatched and was reared by foster mother and father. He’s the ninth penguin to affix the Aquarium of Niagara by way of the breeding program, and the primary to be paired with a penguin that hatched on the Aquarium.
Humboldt penguins are native to the rocky coasts of Chile and Peru, the place their populations face threats from unsustainable fishing, guano harvesting, and climate-driven disruptions to the Humboldt Present, notably throughout more and more frequent El Niño occasions. They’re categorised as susceptible to extinction on the IUCN Purple Listing.
By way of applications just like the AZA Species Survival Plan, accredited zoos and aquariums collaborate to guard greater than 800 susceptible and endangered species worldwide by way of breeding, analysis, public schooling, and area conservation.
Guests can see Timmy and Jules on exhibit at Penguin Coast, the place Jules wears a pink and black wing band and Timmy sports activities a pink and white beaded band. If their bond continues, they’ll obtain matching bands—an indication of a confirmed mated pair.
