Emperor penguin chick at zoo in Japan's Wakayama Pref. celebrates 1st birthday
SHIRAHAMA, Wakayama -- An emperor penguin chick born at Adventure World in this western Japan resort town marked its first birthday with a special cel
On September 30, Adventure World in Wakayama, Japan, celebrated the first birthday of an emperor penguin chick named Yoyo-chan. The tiny bird, weighing just 295.9 grams at birth, now tips the scales at about 23.6 kilograms. Its name, chosen from fan submissions, was formalized in late August.
Yoyo-chan's transformation from a fluffy chick to an adult penguin is marked by a change in plumage. After this winter's molting season, the gray feathers around its head will be replaced by the iconic yellow feathers of an adult.
Animal care staff member Miho Omori, 29, reported that Yoyo-chan is thriving. The chick is now able to swallow large fish, such as herring and Atka mackerel, twice daily.
However, the future of emperor penguins is not looking bright. Classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in April, they face numerous threats. Environmental changes and breeding failures, often caused by human impact, have raised serious concerns about the possibility of the species' extinction by the end of the 21st century.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
