Hand-rearing kororā (little penguin) chicks

Two little penguins have joined the colony! Last October, our birds team leader Chris travelled to the National Aquarium in Napier to collect a kororā (little penguin) egg that was hatched at our Zoo, with the chick hand-reared by our dedicated keepers. Soon after, a three-week-old kororā chick was rescued by the National Aquarium after being found abandoned on a Napier beach – where it wouldn’t have survived. The great news is, the chick was able to be brought into our care and both chicks were then hand-reared together. Both chicks are now fully integrated with the kororā colony – an amazing success by our bird team – with mana whenua Te Kaha Hawaikirangi gifting beautiful names for both chicks – Kaumoana and Tāwhai. Come and see them this weekend!