Episode 6: Do You Know Your Neighbours?
Follow the baby chicks of one of the most visually-stunning creatures in Antarctica and now the cutest at SEA LIFE Melbourne. Early this year four King Penguins hatched in SEA LIFE Melbourne’s very own penguin colony. Stay tuned to hear how they navigate from chicks to adulthood, venturing through the Penguin Playground and interacting with our keepers. Get first hand insight from one of our keepers, Taylor, as she explains how the penguins grow and develop cheeky, unique personalities.
SEA LIFE Melbourne are excited to have re-opened and welcome guests to say hello to Lorraine, Whopper, Sparkie and Quentin and explore a world like no other.
See website for updates and to monitor the Penguins progress.
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Do you know your neighbours? Many people from all walks of life call Melbourne home, but what about our other residents?
Meet four Melburnians – born and raised – Lorraine, Whopper, Sparkie and Quentin. They are the newest additions to the King Penguin colony of over fifty birds right here in Melbourne. The four chicks hatched between January and March this year, in a process that can take 24 hours from initially cracking the egg to finally emerging out and into the world.
The chicks spend a lot of time together in crèche, allowing them alone time with their parents undisturbed by the rest of the colony. They haven’t learnt to swim as of yet so their crèche keeps them at a safe distance from the pool as well!
Like most Melburnians, these four love their food. When they are younger, chicks are fed solely by their parents, however they are now old enough to be fed by the keepers. Of the four, Whopper in particular enjoys feeding time. He was quick to establish that the keepers would bring him food and lets them know he’s hungry and ready for his meal by vocalising and waddling around after them. He often tries to sneak in for seconds!
Taylor, a keeper caring for the chicks, loves having the opportunity to watch the chicks grow and their personalities develop from birth. Taylor says, “It’s like having a small child.”
“It’s nice when you’ve been through their whole growth… It’s really exciting when they get to interact with the rest of the colony and get to explore a little bit more because they fall over themselves. They’re like, ‘what is this?’ It’s a whole new world for them.”
She says the bond between the chicks and the keepers is very strong, particularly because the keepers are there with the chicks as they experience many things – like meeting the rest of the colony or going for a swim – for the very first time.
The tragic story of Thomas Chirnside who came to Australia with nothing but the bible, a little money and optimism. Joined by his brother Andrew and wife to be Mary, the friends successfully built a pastoral empire, bred famous race horses and acquired respect, fame and fortune. However, this was short lived and the three met devastating ends.