African penguin chicks are hatched at Maryland Zoo

Eight African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) have been hatched at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.¹ The species is listed as “critically endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.²

The number of wild African penguins has declined dramatically, according to the zoo¹, and the IUCN estimates that number is continuing to decrease.² According to Maryland Zoo, these birds are in danger of becoming extinct in the wild within 10 years.¹

The IUCN cited “extremely rapid population decline” based on near-complete data count as the reason for the “critically endangered” status. The effects of competition with commercial fisheries as well as climate-mediated shifts in populations of prey are believed to play roles in the decreasing number of African penguins. “The current and future projected population reduction exceeds 80% over 3 generations. This trend currently shows no sign of reversing, and immediate conservation action is required,” the IUCN wrote in 2024.²

Jen Kottyan, bird curator for Maryland Zoo and program leader for the African Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP), which oversees African penguin breeding programs at zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, agreed that the number of African penguins in the wild is dropping. “If we can fix the issues these birds face in the wild, such as overfishing and habitat loss, one day penguins from our highly managed SSP could be sent to their native South Africa and Namibia to repopulate the wild colonies, which means every chick hatched here is important to this species’ global survival,” Kottyan said.¹

The Maryland Zoo annually selects a naming theme for these chicks.This year the birds are being named after fruits and vegetables with the first 2 names of these new African penguins selected as Kiwi and Cayenne.¹

Breeding season at the Zoo begins in mid-September and lasts until the end of February, mimicking the spring-to-summer breeding season for these birds in their native South Africa and Namibia. The zoo plans to announce additional names in the coming weeks.¹

Maryland Zoo has hatched more than 1000 African penguins over the past 50 years, and the zoo claims it is home to the largest population of African penguins in North America. Although many of these birds hatched at the zoo remain in Baltimore, others have helped establish new colonies at zoos and aquariums in 35 US states and in Canada.¹

References

1. Maryland Zoo announces birth of African penguin chicks. News release. Maryland Zoo. December 8, 2025. Accessed December 10, 2025. https://www.marylandzoo.org/news-and-updates/2025/12/maryland-zoo-announces-birth-of-african-penguin-chicks/
2. African penguin. International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. July 4, 2024. Accessed December 10, 2025. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22697810/256021744