Highly endangered penguin chicks 'thriving' at zoo

Two critically endangered penguin chicks that were born in a zoo have been "thriving", keepers said.

The black-footed penguins, named Pudding and Humbug, were born at Banham Zoo, Norfolk, in December.

Last year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) added the species - also known as African penguins - to a red list of wild animals considered most at risk of extinction.

Banham Zoo said keepers were "closely monitoring" the progress of the chicks.

Deborah Harris, the zoo's animal manager, said: "It's wonderful to have two penguin chicks here at the zoo.

"The African penguin is critically endangered in the wild, which makes this even more special as we try to help ensure the survival of their wild counterpart with the captive population."

The IUCN estimates there are only about 9,900 African penguin breeding pairs remaining in the wild.

In the late 1950s, that figure was believed to be about 141,000 pairs.

The IUCN said the species' existence was threatened by climate change, industrial fishing and oil spills.

The penguins are mostly found off the coast of South Africa and Namibia.

Banham Zoo said the chicks were part of its "continuing dedication" to conserve critically endangered animals.

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