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By: Sarah Sharkey
Earlier this year, a royal baby penguin made her graceful entrance into this world. Her full name is “Her Majesty Gertrude Sprinkle-bottom” but people call her Gertrude.
The Humboldt penguin chick was born in February at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio. The young penguin is the 30th chick to hatch at the Columbus Zoo. Everyone there was extremely excited to welcome this chick into her new home.
The chick is being raised by two penguins, Aslea and Chirriante. These are not her biological parents, but they are attentive foster parents. Her biological parents, Katja and Hans, seemed to be happy that Gertrude is doing well with her foster parents.
At first, the protective parents would not let her out of their nest but over the past several months visitors have been able to see more and more of Gertrude. The nest is within the larger habitat, so eventually Gertrude will have free reign over the entire kingdom. For now, she seems to be content with her small corner of the world.
She is one of seven babies to be born at the zoo this season. The other babies included 5 Asian small-clawed otter pups and a silver leaf langur baby.