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Penguin Chick Celebrates First Birthday in Japan
6 Oct
Summary
- Emperor penguin chick Yoyo-chan celebrated its first birthday on Sept. 30.
- The chick gained significant weight, from 295.9 grams to 23.6 kilograms.
- Emperor penguins are classified as endangered, facing extinction by 2100.
An emperor penguin chick named Yoyo-chan, born at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama, joyfully marked its first birthday on September 30. Animal care staff presented the chick with a special ice sculpture shaped like the number one.
Yoyo-chan has experienced remarkable growth, increasing its weight from a mere 295.9 grams at birth to an impressive 23.6 kilograms. The chick is reportedly thriving, consuming herring and Atka mackerel whole twice daily, as confirmed by staff member Miho Omori.
This celebration occurs during a critical period for the species, as emperor penguins were classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List in April. Breeding failures linked to environmental shifts have raised alarms about the potential extinction of emperor penguins by the close of the 21st century.
