Penguinküken in Neumünster: Animal keeper becomes a foster nut!

Penguinküken in Neumünster: Animal keeper becomes a foster nut!

Neumünster, Deutschland - In the Neumünster zoo, an absolute penguin wonder is currently celebrated! The lovingly raised Humboldt Penguinküken by Zooierpflegerin Ines Petersen causes a sensation and moves the hearts of visitors to zoo. The chick, which was born on April 30, rely on the care of his parents in the first 17 days, but fate put her on a tough test. The mother died of Vogelmalaria, despite preventive treatments for the animals. "There was something there," thought Ines, and jumped in as a foster mother after the penguin father was overwhelmed to supply the chick. So she took the little being home, where she fed it with fish porridge - the challenge? The fish smell that spread in her apartment.

Ines Petersen, who raised two siblings penguins 15 years ago, is enthusiastic about the chick's progress. On his first trip to the Penguing region, the little animal showed interest in clover and other environmental stimuli. Even if the gender of the chick cannot yet be determined-there is a DNA test after the first mouse-it has already developed 15 individual points that serve to later identify adult penguins. The chick currently eats 50 to 60 sprats every day and is only fed four times a day. However, swimming is still ahead of the little penguin, because at first the chicks are still water shy and their first plumage are not water -repellent.

Humboldt penguins in danger

The history of the little chick is not only a personal one, but also illuminates the dramatic Situation of the Humboldt penguins as a whole. This penguin type is threatened in the wild, including from climate change and various construction projects. In order to protect the stocks, the Neumünster zoo works closely with the Sphenisco organization, which is committed to preserving the penguins. This organization has been conducting a research project in Chile since 2021, which under the direction of Dr. Alejandro Simeone stands, and examines the reproduction success and the food search behavior of the penguins.

Current challenges include the effects of climate change and the phenomenon El Niño, which significantly affect the breeding behavior of the penguins. A decline in breeding pairs has been determined in recent years, with around 2,500 pairs being estimated. This situation requires great protective measures to ensure the survival of this kind. The island of Choros, an important reproductive location for Humboldt penguins, was identified as particularly worthy of protection.

climate change and its effects

climate change also has far -reaching consequences for the habitats of the penguins. Especially in the polar regions, where the summer sea ice is disappearing, effects on the marine food chain can be observed. The main source of food for many marine animals, including penguins, the krill is reduced. These changes make the continued existence of the penguins species even more precarious and require quick action. With the help of the latest technologies, such as satellite -based images and drones, the recording of penguin populations is optimized to develop effective protection strategies.