Two Rockhopper penguin chicks were hatched at Underwater World Langkawi (UWL) in Malaysia on Sunday and Tuesday, the national news agency Bernama reported on Thursday.
The chicks, measuring 47 cm high, weighing three kilograms and sporting a crest, were healthy, said UWL in a statement on Thursday.
At UWL, Rockhopper penguins build nests in an open space unlike African penguins which build nests using three branches and corals.
The Rockhopper penguins originate from Tristan de Cunha islands, South Africa. The first batch of 19 penguins arrived here in December, 2003.
The hatching of two Rockhopper penguins are UWL's second success after it successfully bred and hatched 11 African penguins last year.
UWL senior curator Tan Ean Kok said over 7.2 million people had visited UWL since it started operations in August, 1995 and the success of hatching penguin chicks was expected to draw more visitors.
The Rockhopper penguin, is a small, aggressive, crested penguin. These penguins are called "rockhoppers" because they jump from rock to rock. Although these flightless birds used to be hunted for their oil, they are now protected. They have a life span of over 10 years.
Source: Xinhua
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