The three Magellanic penguin chicks in Penguin Point are growing quickly and reaching exciting new milestones.

The chicks continue to receive routine health checkups, and all three are thriving, each weighing about five pounds. Keepers have named them Chimi (male), Churri (female), and Malbec (female), inspired by traditional foods and beverages from their native range in Argentina and Chile. They have also reached an exciting developmental milestone, transitioning from being fed regurgitated fish by their parents to independently eating whole fish.

Traditionally, young penguins spend this stage behind the scenes while they molt their fluffy down feathers, learn to hand-feed from keepers, and prepare for swimming. This year, the zoo is doing something a little different: the trio has temporarily moved away from their parents and into a specially designed x-pen located in the sheltered “nook” area of Penguin Point.

The new setup offers several advantages, including more shade, improved substrate, the opportunity to remain close to the rest of the penguin colony, and greater convenience for animal care staff.

Once Chimi, Churri, and Malbec complete their molt and develop their waterproof feathers, they’ll begin swim lessons right there in the main habitat pool. While guests may only catch occasional glimpses of the chicks in their sheltered nook, they’ll have the chance to watch these future swimmers during their upcoming “lessons” with their parents.

The three chicks hatched in mid-May as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan® for the threatened species. Two chicks hatched to penguin pair Pink and Red, while the third chick hatched to Purple and White following specialized artificial incubation support from the zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams.