Weymouth welcomes second ultra-rare penguin hatchling of the year
SEA LIFE Weymouth ia welcoming the newest addition to the Fairy Penguin colony
Last updated 5 hours ago
After the arrival of the famous penguin chick, Henry, earlier this year, SEA LIFE Weymouth ia welcoming the newest addition to the Fairy Penguin colony, with yet another hatchling.
Weighing in at just 39g, the same weight as a golf ball, this chirpy bird was born on Monday the 13th of April in the aquarium's specialist penguin hatchery, just under three months since little Henry hatched in January.
The Weymouth aquarium was the first in Europe to successfully breed the species in 2020 and has been effectively running its programme ever since. Successes like Henry and the just-hatched chick highlight the importance of the breeding programme, introducing a whole new generation of Fairy Penguins to the continent.
After bursting from its shell with some real vigour, the determined newcomer is now being carefully hand-reared to give them the best start to life. Once the tiny chick no longer needs the temperature-controlled environment of the brooder, they will join the rest of the penguin colony at SEA LIFE Weymouth, which includes the beloved Henry.
The team is absolutely thrilled to have another mischievous chick in their hands so soon after Henry’s arrival and are reporting wonderful progress of the newest baby penguin who has inherited Henry’s hand-me-down toy penguin to keep it company until it’s time to join the colony. The fluffy chick has taken to solid food impressively quickly, showing determination at every stage since hatching.
This fresh-from-the-egg chick brings the total number of Fairy Penguins at SEA LIFE Weymouth to 43.
The only thing the fairy penguin chick is missing is a name. So SEA LIFE Weymouth welcomes any eager penguin-lovers to help name the hatchling by voting for their favourite golf-related name for this chirpy bird over on their Instagram/Facebook. The choices are: Birdie, Chip, Eagle, and Albatross.
General Manager, at SEA LIFE Weymouth, Seb Webster, said: “To have two new Fairy Penguins hatch this year is just absolutely incredible, we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome our latest arrival with open arms, or hands.
“The tiny chick has already had an impressively determined start to life, pushing through their shell with some real willpower, and showing that same attitude to every milestone since. We can’t wait to see the name that the public chooses for this new chirpy chap.
“We’ll shout it from the rooftops at every chance we get, but as the only Fairy Penguin colony in Europe, every single time a new chick hatches is such an amazing feat and we’re so proud of our two new additions in 2026.”