Penguin chicks take their first swim
Mystic — Three African penguin chicks explored their habitat for the first time Wednesday at the Mystic Aquarium.
The three chicks, Black/Red, Black/Grey and Black/Yellow, hatched in February. They spent about five minutes exploring the habitat before timidly entering the water for the first time, thanks to some encouragement from trainers and introduction of adult birds.
Before this point, they have spent time in the aquarium's research facilities and have been introduced to other penguins and shallow bodies of water such as kiddie pools.
The aquarium works with more than 50 other facilities on the African Penguin Species Survival Plan, as it is an endangered species, to breed animals for educational purposes as well as species survival.
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