Media Relations
Mariauna Hernandez
Office: 409-683-4256
Cell: 409-771-3891
Jerri Hamachek
Office: 409-683-4249
Cell: 409-789-2607
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MOODY GARDENS WELCOMES FIRST SOUTHERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUIN CHICK
Rockhopper Penguin is the first ever hatched at the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid
Galveston Island, TX(December 21, 2015) —Imagine the offspring, if rockstarsOzzy Osbourne and Lady Gaga were a couple. It has happened with Rockhopper penguins Gaga and Ozzie at Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid resulting in the aquarium’s first Rockhopper penguin chick.
The South Atlantic Exhibit in the Aquarium Pyramid houses Gentoo, Chinstrap, King, Macaroni and Rockhopper penguins. The hatching is a testament to the excellent care these birds receive from the Moody Gardens staff.It represents the fourth penguin species to be successfully bred at this facility.
“It certainly has been an exciting season for us. Having our first Rockhopper chick is the icing on the cake. Our keepers have worked hard at tweaking the exhibit to provide the right environment for the birds’ breeding success and all that dedication has paid off. I am very proud of our team and this accomplishment,” said Assistant Curator, Diane Olsen.
Penguin parents, Ozzie and Gaga will spend their time exchanging their parental roles caring for their new chickas they do in nature. Upon their arrival in 2003, biologists were brainstorming possible names for their penguin friends and they decided to have a little fun with it.Like their names, the Rockhopper penguins have all been named after famous rock stars, hence the names, Ozzie and Gaga.
Rockhopper penguins originate from various islands in the South Atlantic, which means these penguins experience a different season than us. While it may be winter in Texas, breeding season is just beginning for these birds. Once a mate is selected, the construction of the nest begins. During the gestation period the parents take turns sitting on the eggwhich lasts about 33 days.
Rockhoppers are broken down into two different subspecies, Northern and Southern. The difference between adults can easily be identified by the density of yellow feathers above their eyebrows. Northern Rockhoppers have a thicker array of feathers, while Southernhave less.
The penguins reside in the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid, the largest aquarium in Texas. With 1.5 million gallons of water, the building houses life from four distinct ocean environments and the collection in this popular pyramid includes seals, sea lions, sharks, thousands of fish, including more than 80 penguins.
The early arrival of the new chick comes after last week’s celebrationof Wagner, the Chinstrap Penguin’s birthday. Wagner is now 32 years old and has been identified asthe oldest Chinstrap penguin in North America. Moody Gardens is now the home toboth the oldest and youngest penguins together in the same exhibit, until another chick hatches elsewhere.
A possible one or two additional Gentoo penguin chicks are expected by Christmas as Penguin Watch 2015 continues at the Aquarium Pyramid.
For more information call 800-582-4673 or visit
Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.
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