Featured Photo: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s family has grown by seven so far this year with the arrival of multiple new babies, representing three at-risk species. The new additions include: five Asian small-clawed otter pups, a silvered leaf langur baby and a Humboldt penguin chick – each of these newborns contribute to maximizing genetic diversity within their species and sustaining the populations.
The five Asian small-clawed otter pups kicked off the baby boom by being born on January 26 – the other two followed by being born in February. The silvered leaf langur baby was born on February 16 and the Humboldt penguin chick was born on February 19.
About the Asian small-clawed otter pups (pictured above):
The pups, three males and two females, were the first borns for their parents, Gus and Peanut. Peanut was born in 2014 and came to the Columbus Zoo in April 2017 whereas Gus was born in 2008 and arrived at the Columbus Zoo in 2014.
The young pups have been thriving under the supervision of their parents are expected to be on view to the public later this spring.
About the silvered leaf langur baby:
The Columbus Zoo is proud to welcome the new female silvered leaf langur baby who was born to Patty and Thai. Patty came to the Columbus Zoo in 2007 and the newborn is her seventh offspring. Thai came to the Columbus Zoo in 2015 and the newborn is his fourth infant.
Patty, Thai and the newest langur arrival are currently on view in the Asia Quest region. The baby is easy to spot as langurs are born bright orange, as opposed to their adult counterparts with black fur and silvered tips.
The pairing of Patty and Thai was based on an SSP recommendation, and the birth of the baby will play an important role in helping manage this at-risk species.
About the Humboldt penguin chick:
The new female Humboldt penguin chick was named “Her Majesty Gertrude Spinklebottom” but is being called Gertrude for short. She is the 20th Humboldt penguin chick to hatch at the Columbus Zoo.
The egg was laid by parents Katja and Hans, but Gertrude is being fostered by another pair, Asela, and Chirriante. Asela was born in 2012 at the Columbus Zoo, while Chirriante was born in 1992 in Dresden, Germany.
Gertrude will be on view once Asela and Chirriante are comfortable with allowing her to wander outside the nest box.
All three of these recent births assist in maximizing genetic diversity, managing demographic distribution and help to further enhance the sustainability of species that are at risk or threatened in their native ranges.
For more information about conservation initiatives at the Columbus Zoo, please visit https://globalimpact.columbuszoo.org/about.