Bird Paradise’s penguin colony grows with joyous new arrivals this festive season

Anaïs Tritto, Assistant Vice President, Mandai Wildlife Group said, “We are excited to welcome Pascale and our charming gentoo penguin chicks to the family. Pascale’s arrival marks a new chapter for Pierre and we look forward to seeing how they would interact and bond. The successful hatching of gentoo chicks is a first for us and represents an important milestone. Our team of penguin keepers has put in great efforts into ensuring our birds are thriving and receiving all the TLC they can get. This breeding success is a strong indication that they are doing well in our habitat.”

Pascale, the one-year-old female northern rockhopper penguin, arrived from Perth Zoo on 28 November 2024. She is currently undergoing a two-week isolation period for close monitoring and will make her debut in the penguin habitat in the second week of December. Her introduction will begin with a soft release in a corral area to facilitate her social integration into the group. Pascale will be part of the colony which includes over 30 penguins from four species – gentoo, humboldt, king, and northern rockhopper penguins.

Pascale was found washed ashore on a beach in Western Australia in February 2024, far from the species’ typical sub-Antarctic range in the Southern Indian and Atlantic Oceans. After being rescued, she was sent to Perth Zoo, where the veterinary team worked diligently to rehabilitate Pascale, nursing her back to health and preparing her for the journey to Singapore. During this time, she won the hearts of her carers with her boisterous personality. It was determined that Pascale would be sent to Singapore as the specialised cold saltwater habitat at Bird Paradise’s Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove is well-suited to meet the long-term needs of this species under human care. Pierre was also rehabilitated at Perth Zoo before transferring to Singapore in 2020.  For both Pascale and Pierre, it was assessed that their chances of survival would be very slim if they were to be released back to the wild.

Listed as Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the northern rockhopper penguin is known for its striking appearance and lively behaviour. It’s sleek black plumage, a white underbelly, and distinctive yellow-orange crest give it a charismatic and unique appearance. Unlike most penguins that waddle, the northern rockhopper is an exceptional jumper. Its strong legs allow it to hop between rocks and cliffs, a crucial skill for navigating the steep, rocky landscapes of its native island homes, earning it the "rockhopper" name.

New Penguin Chicks Arrive, Bringing Extra Joy to the Holidays

On 25 November 2024, 4-year-old Riki and 3-year-old female Peach became first-time parents when they welcomed their first chick. Two days later on 27 November 2024, a second chick successfully hatched. However, the keepers noticed that the second chick was being underfed, as the parents struggled to meet the demands of feeding two chicks. To maximise the chance of survival of both chicks, the penguin care team decided to lend a hand and retrieve the second chick for hand raising. The 8-day old chick is now being cared for under the watchful eyes of the penguin care team.  

Anaïs added, “Our priority is always to allow the parents to care for their chicks, intervening only when absolutely necessary. In this instance, intervention was required. As first-time parents, Riki and Peach may not have the experience to successfully raise two chicks simultaneously. This is a natural behaviour also observed in the wild, where sometimes only one chick survives. Despite this, Riki and Peach are adjusting beautifully to parenthood and are taking good care of their firstborn. Our dedicated penguin care team is closely monitoring the chicks during these crucial early stages of development.”

While the first chick is being carefully tended to by its attentive parents, visitors with a keen eye might be able to catch a glimpse of it nestled beneath them as it grows stronger. Meanwhile, the second chick is being hand-raised in the Research Room located on the third floor of the Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove. Visitors can have the opportunity to observe the young penguin being fed and cared for by checking the whiteboard by the window for feeding times.

Gentoo penguins use pebbles to construct their nests and attract potential mates. After an egg is laid, both adults take turns incubating it for about 30 days, waiting for signs of hatching. The sex of the offspring will be determined after their first moult, which typically occurs several months post-hatching. DNA analysis of their feathers will then confirm their gender.

Riki and Peach arrived in Singapore in 2023 under a partnership between Toyohashi Zoo & Botanical Park (Non Hoi Park) and Mandai Wildlife Group. Bird Paradise is part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) breeding programme for gentoo penguins, which are classified as ‘Least Concerned’ on the IUCN Red List. The breeding programme ensures a healthy and genetically diverse population under human care, helping to raise awareness and increasing the profile of these penguin species.

The gentoo penguin is a medium-sized species with a distinctive white head stripe and bright orange-red beak. Known for their speed in the water, they are excellent swimmers. They are social birds and are known for their strong parenting and monogamous relationships.