Critically endangered black-footed penguin chicks hatched at Banham Zoo

Two critically endangered black-footed penguin chicks have been hatched at a zoo in Norfolk.

Pudding and Humbug joined Banham Zoo's colony of 17 black-footed penguins in late December.

Keepers monitoring their progress tell us both penguin chicks are thriving under their parents Bob and Zulika’s care.

More about the black-footed penguin

The black-footed penguin, also known as the African penguin, has recently been uplisted from endangered to critically endangered on the IUCN list.

With a 97% population decrease, only 10,000 breeding pairs of African penguins are believed to remain in the wild.

Pioneering conservation efforts for these penguins overseas, SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) the main causes affecting the population numbers as:

• Overfishing of food sources such as sardines and anchovies

• Climate change, which is causing a decrease in food sources

• Human destruction of nests and habitats

Deborah Harris, Animal manager at Banham Zoo commented on the arrival: "It’s wonderful to have two penguin chicks here at the zoo.

"The African penguin is critically endangered in the wild which makes this even more special as we try to help ensure the survival of their wild counterpart with the captive population."

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