New Feathery Additions Bring Festive Cheer to Bird Paradise’s Penguin Cove

Bird Paradise’s Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove welcomes exciting new members to its penguin family. With the arrival of a rescued northern rockhopper penguin and two newly hatched gentoo penguin chicks, it’s a heartwarming celebration of life and conservation at the park.

Meet Pascale, the Rescued Rockhopper Penguin

Just in time for Christmas, Pascale, a one-year-old female northern rockhopper penguin, has joined the colony. Rescued in February 2024 after being found washed ashore in Western Australia, far from her natural sub-Antarctic range, Pascale was rehabilitated by the dedicated team at Perth Zoo.

She arrived in Singapore on 28 November and is currently in a two-week isolation period before joining her new penguin companions, including five-year-old Pierre, another rescued rockhopper from Perth Zoo.

Known for their striking yellow-orange crests and lively personalities, northern rockhopper penguins are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Pascale and Pierre, both deemed unfit for release into the wild, will now thrive in the Penguin Cove’s specialised cold saltwater habitat, offering them the best care and a chance to bond as a pair.

Adorable Gentoo Chicks Hatch for the Holidays

Adding to the festive excitement, Riki and Peach, a young gentoo penguin pair, recently became first-time parents. On 25 November, they welcomed their first chick, followed by a second on 27 November. While the parents are caring for their first chick, the second is being hand-raised by the Penguin Cove team to ensure its survival. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the hand-raised chick in the Research Room, where feeding times are displayed on a whiteboard.

Gentoo penguins, known for their charming white head stripes and impressive swimming skills, construct pebble nests to attract mates and incubate their eggs. These hatchlings mark a success for Bird Paradise’s participation in the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) breeding programme, which promotes healthy and genetically diverse penguin populations.

A Festive Visit to Remember

Whether watching Pascale’s debut later this December or spotting the gentoo chicks being nurtured, visitors to Bird Paradise can experience the joy of conservation in action. Head to Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove to witness these heartwarming milestones and celebrate the season with the park’s growing penguin family.