Printer Friendly Version - Cox Kids Help Mystic Aquarium Reveal Penguin Chick Genders

An African penguin chick walks across handprint paintings with paint-colored feet at A.W. Cox Elementary school. Kindergarteners made handprint paintings and learned about the penguins and wildlife conservation as they helped Mystic Aquarium officials reveal the genders of two new chicks. Photo courtesy Mystic Aquarium

In a delightful blend of education and excitement, kindergarten students at A.W. Cox Elementary School in Guilford played a unique role in revealing the genders of the two penguin chicks that hatched this winter at Mystic Aquarium.

The event, featuring live penguins and interactive learning, highlighted the importance of conservation and the Aquarium's efforts to protect endangered species. The children's enthusiastic participation and insightful questions made the day memorable, combining end-of-the-year fun with the excitement of being the first to know, even before the Aquarium staff, the genders of the new chicks.

The two African penguin chicks, whose parents are Purple/Red and Black/Blue, hatched on February 28 and March 2, 2024, weighing 65g and 60g, respectively. As part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for African penguins, these chicks were raised by foster parents. The SSP is a cooperative breeding program designed to maintain genetically diverse and healthy populations of endangered animals in accredited zoos and aquariums, ensuring their sustainability for the future.

Josh Davis, Supervisor of Penguins, engaged the students in a discussion about the endangered status of African penguins and the conservation efforts led by Mystic Aquarium. They learned about the Species Survival Plan (SSP) and the Aquarium's work in South Africa to protect these incredible creatures.

The young students eagerly asked questions such as "What are penguins' beaks made of?" "What do they eat?" and the best one, "How can we help protect them?" The interactive session fostered curiosity and a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation. They found it particularly amusing to learn that penguins can poop 6 to 8 times an hour.

"Seeing the excitement and curiosity in the students' eyes today was truly inspiring. Our work with the penguins goes beyond the Aquarium, impacting education and awareness in our communities," said Davis.

"We typically do the gender reveal at Mystic Aquarium, but this year, we wanted to engage young conservationists, which is one of the goals of our new summer campaign, S.A.V.E. to Stay Wild. The E stands for 'empower,' and what better way to do that than to create an opportunity for students to participate and get actively inspired by hands-on experience?" said Meagan Seacor, vice president of External Relations.

The highlight of the day was the gender reveal. Using finger paints, the students created handprint paintings and guessed the chicks' genders, almost all predicting one boy and one girl. Their predictions were spot on! The penguins then walked across the handprint paintings with colored feet, revealing that Mystic Aquarium welcomes one new male and female chick to their colony.

"We are thrilled to partner with Mystic Aquarium for this unique event. It's an incredible opportunity for our students to learn about wildlife conservation in such an engaging and memorable way," said Natalie Hammond, Cox principal.

Mystic Aquarium continues to be a leader in marine animal care and conservation, working tirelessly to protect endangered species and educate the public about preserving our natural world.

For more information about African penguins and Mystic Aquarium's conservation efforts, please visit mysticaquarium.org or visit this summer.