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From our scientist, Hiltrun Ratz, PhD
scientist@penguins.org.nz |
These four found each other in the forest and were hanging out together. When it comes closer to the time when they are expecting the parents home they drift towards their nest site so that they don't miss the arrival of a parent and feeding.
This cheeky chick is raised by Eire and Noelyn and it makes us crawl through all sorts of bushes to not just find it but to give it a health check up, including taking blood to see if it has Avian Malaria (all clear). On this occasion a photo was all that was needed.
This single chick has had a chaperone until a few days ago but has been left home alone on this day. As it is a wee bit younger than the neighbouring chicks (Stitches' Rosie and Logie) it's not that keen to come and join in the kindergarten just yet. It will in time, for now it's hanging out within about 5-6m of the group of chicks from next door!
The chicks are adventurous and McCormick who was being raised in Spitfire Rise by Ewan and Shannon has wandered to their old box from last season and is hanging there now
We now have six chicks in rehab, including Sonic and Rubik whose mother Molly had given up but reappeared fortunately. Here is a short video of the chicks in care: The first is Bequette's chick (who got lost for a week wandering far from the nest - we were very worried) Jet is next (had a small injury and fell behind) together with a chick that stopped putting on weight. The next two together are Sonic and Rubik. Last but not least is a chick (ear-marked for sponsorship but not named just yet) that was diagnosed with Malaria in our blood test we are doing on all chicks now. (All other chicks so far have been negative, we have been treating them weekly prophylactically since they reached 1kg but clearly this one needed a proper course of anti-Malaria meds! It'll be fine.) This family got sponsored in one go: Rossi is the chick who is being guarded by first-fime breeding dad Spencer while mum Penelope is at sea fishing. Both Spencer and Penelope are breeding for the first time - and boy are they doing a good job: At the last weigh-in Rossi weighed 5.5kg!
Two or these four are Stitches chicks and they are hanging out with the neighbours chicks - earmarked for sponsorship but no names yet. Pekepeke also lives next door but is seems is not allowed to join the kindergarten while one parent is still at home. Being a singleton it gets more time with mum or dad!! Fortunately we have completed the micro-chipping just in time before everyone is getting mixed up! Can't have mixed up penguin chicks!!!
Even as one of our youngest chicks, this newly sponsored chick is starting to show a white belly. Food must be good as a parent is still at home with Pontus even now in January!
Wondering what U2's frontman would say to this fluffball! It is certainly well looked after with Stewie Junior in attendance on this occasion and Anna out at sea getting dinner!
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