Adventure Aquarium in Camden welcomed the arrival of two African penguin chicks.
The chicks, named Oscar and Duffy by aquarium staff, are the 51st and 52nd of their species to hatch at the facility.
Their birth comes as African penguins were reclassified as critically endangered in October 2024 due to habitat loss and environmental factors.
Experts predict African penguins could be functionally extinct by 2035 without prioritized conservation efforts.
The species, native to the coast of southwestern Africa, can eat up to 20% of their body weight in a single meal despite their relatively small size.
The naming choices reflect the aquarium’s culture.
Duffy honors staff member Jen Duffy, who has worked with the bird and mammal team since 2006.
Oscar’s name playfully references his parents, Myer and Cornelia, whose nickname is Corn Dog, creating a hot dog-themed connection to the famous brand.
The chicks follow the 2024 hatching of Gabby and Shubert, the 49th and 50th African penguins born at Adventure Aquarium.
That pair marked the first chicks to hatch since 2020 and they celebrated their first birthday on Dec. 1.