King penguin chicks add to population at Melbourne Aquarium

Six king penguin chicks have been born at Melbourne Aquarium in the past few weeks.

The aquarium's assistant penguin keeper Emily Thornton said this year's successful breeding program reflected the good pairing behaviour between the adult penguins.

The six new chicks are being cared for by some of the aquarium's older king penguins in a specially designed penguin nursery.

"We have a loving colony of penguins who are always willing to step up and play foster parent for any eggs that need it," Ms Thornton said.

During the three-month breeding season, king penguins usually lay one egg and incubate it for 55 days before it hatches.

The Melbourne Aquarium welcomed only one new king penguin chick in 2021.

Australian Associated Press