First baby penguin of 2015 at Tennessee Aquarium

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – A new baby Macaroni penguin was born at the Tennessee Aquarium on June 5th.

Senior Aviculturist Loribeth Lee says the first baby penguin of 2015 is full of surprises!

 “This chick started hatching four days before we were expecting it,” said Lee. “But at the first weigh-in, three days later, it was clear that the parents were doing a great job feeding this little bird.”

The new baby penguin was born to parents Little Debbie and Hercules.

This is Little Debbie’s first baby, and the Aquarium penguin keepers were nervous at first because sometimes first-time penguin moms lack the nurturing skills to feed and tend to their first baby. 

However, officials say Little Debbie surprised them with her parental instincts.

“She acts as though she has raised a lot of chicks in the past. She and Hercules are doing a great job caring for this baby,” said Lee.

Officials say the baby is a pretty laid-back and calm bird.

Lee says the baby spends time out in the open and is starting to explore.

For that reason and because baby penguins don’t get their adult feathers for about 70 to 75 days, officials have put up a acrylic playpen around the nest to make sure the baby doesn’t accidently get in the water.

The baby’s next check-up is in November.

That’s also when they’ll run a DNA test to determine the baby’s gender.

Then the Aquarium will have a naming contest!

Aquarium visitors can check out the newest chick and there are more eggs to be hatched!