A remarkably large baby penguin made its debut at Tokyo Sea Life Park last month in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo. The 90-centimeter-tall penguin with brown downy feathers was introduced to the aquarium's outdoor penguin habitat and joined about 200 other penguins of various species including Humboldt and southern rockhopper penguins. Although the penguin has the imposing stature of a leader, standing a head above the rest, it is actually a baby king penguin that was born in August this year.
An egg was discovered in June belonging to a pair of king penguins – a male named Ume and a female named Urara.
The egg was used in the park's first hatching experiment using an incubation machine while the parents held and tended to a similar substitute. Just before the egg began to hatch, it was returned to its parents and the experiment was considered a success. The baby was subsequently cared for by its parents and took its first steps into the penguin habitat on Nov. 12.
King penguins are the largest of the four penguin species kept at the park. Their offspring are also covered in soft downy feathers until they reach maturity, making them appear larger than their parents.
Its chubby body shape, which is unlike a typical penguin's appearance, is extremely popular among photo-taking visitors.
"It's just like a kiwi fruit," said a visiting university student. "It's so cute."
The baby penguin should begin to molt its downy feathers around May next year, and it will take on an appearance similar to its parents. Park officials estimate that the penguin's current cute appearance will last for about half a year.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
