Two Oceans Aquarium celebrates first birthday of African penguin chicks Ember and Echo

By Two Oceans Aquarium

Ilse Jenkinson, Two Oceans Aquarium Veterinarian, performs weekly health checks on the newly hatched African penguin chicks on their beach at the Aquarium.

START The Two Oceans Aquarium is celebrating a very special milestone this week as African penguin siblings, Ember and Echo, turn one year old.

“Born in February 2025, Ember and Echo were the first African penguin chicks to hatch at the Aquarium in a decade. This was considered a hopeful moment by the Two Oceans Aquarium team, for a species that is now classified as Critically Endangered,” said Shanet Rutgers, Head Penguin Keeper.

Their journey began with an unusual beginning, with parents Neptune and Alan laying two fertile eggs. Typically, only one egg in a clutch successfully hatches. Meanwhile, neighbouring penguin pair Flippy and Ayah were carefully incubating an infertile egg. Recognising an opportunity to support both pairs, the Aquarium’s Penguin Keepers facilitated an adoption, replacing the infertile egg with Neptune and Alan’s second fertile egg.

The adoption was a success, and today Ember and Echo are thriving siblings.

A carefully monitored beginning

Ember hatched on 10 February 2025 weighing approximately 100 grams, followed by Echo on 13 February at 70 grams.

From their first days, the chicks were under the attentive care of the Aquarium’s penguin team and veterinarian, Dr Ilse Jenkinson. Their growth was tracked through distinct developmental phases, from tiny, fluffy hatchlings (Phase 0) to their sleek juvenile “blue” plumage.

During their early weeks, regular weigh-ins ensured steady weight gain, while their parents fed them nutrient-rich, regurgitated pilchard every few hours. At times, the chicks nearly doubled their weight within a single week.

The Two Oceans Aquarium African penguin chick Ember growing quickly in her first year.

Growing up penguin

As Ember and Echo progressed through their P2 and P3 phases, they began learning to waddle, explore, and interact more confidently with their environment. By the P4 phase, they moulted from soft grey to their waterproof juvenile plumage marking their transition into “penguin teenagerhood.”

An important step in their development was their move to the Northern Rockhopper Beach exhibit. This transition helped them habituate to human interaction which prepared them for stress free essential activities such as feeding and health checks. They also learned to be hand-fed like the adult penguins, mastering the technique of swallowing whole fish just as wild African penguins do.

Swimming, of course, was the ultimate milestone. On their inaugural swim swimming in the Kelp Forest Exhibit alongside the rockhopper penguins, Ember and Echo were initially a little unsure, but they quickly gained confidence.

“What began as tentative first plunges soon turned into confident dives and energetic zooming through the water. A positive sign for the growth and development of African penguins,” said Shanet Rutgers, Head Penguin Keeper.

A symbol of hope

In their first year, Ember and Echo have charmed visitors and staff alike with their curious, feisty, and charismatic personalities. More importantly, their successful hatching and development represent a significant conservation achievement for a species facing severe population decline in the wild.

The African penguin population has decreased dramatically over the past century due to habitat loss, food scarcity, climate change, and other human-related pressures. Every successful hatch under expert care contributes valuable knowledge to the conservation of this iconic seabird.

The public is invited to celebrate Ember and Echo’s first birthday at the Two Oceans Aquarium on 14 and 15 February 2026. Samantha, the African penguin mascot, will make special appearances around the Aquarium and at penguin feeding times at 11h30 and 14h30.

Two Oceans Aquarium Penguin Keepers, Amy Stumbles, Tiffany Johnson and Shanet Rutgers, celebrate a year with African penguin siblings Ember and Echo.

Visitors can join in celebrating two small penguins who carry a big message of hope for their species.

For more information, visit www.aquarium.co.za or follow the Two Oceans Aquarium on social media.