Zoo hand-rears endangered rockhopper penguin chick

Zoo keepers have hand-reared an endangered penguin chick after it hatched as part of a breeding programme.

The northern rockhopper penguin was named Noisy by Whipsnade Zoo staff as he constantly chirps whenever they are near.

Due to the low survival rate of previous eggs, the keepers placed it in an incubator and left the parents with a dummy egg so the colony could continue to practice nesting.

Whipsnade Zoo's section manager of birds, Tim Savage, said contributing to the European breeding programme was "vital"

He explained: "As wild populations have sadly declined by more than 57% in the last 27 years, contributing to the European breeding programme to create a healthy and genetically diverse backup population in conservation zoos is vital.

"We are one of only seven zoos in Europe to care for this rare subspecies, so we're monitoring our tiny hatchling around the clock to give it the best chance possible."

Keepers feed noisy a "milkshake" made of blended sprats, vitamins and saline solution that replicates the regurgitated food produced by its parents.

As adults, the birds have distinctive spiky yellow eyebrows and black feathers framing their faces.

They are native to the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean, but travel as far north as South Africa and South America.

As there are no visual differences between males and females, the chick's sex will be identified by a DNA analysis when it is two months old.

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