Cincinnati Zoo's Baby African Penguins Take First Swim

The zoo's newest residents reach a major milestone in their development.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:04pm

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The Cincinnati Zoo has welcomed the birth of several African penguin chicks, the first such births at the zoo in three years. The zoo recently shared a video on social media showing the chicks taking their very first swim, diving into the water without hesitation and testing out their waterproof feathers.

Why it matters

African penguins are a critically endangered species, so the successful breeding and rearing of these chicks at the Cincinnati Zoo represents an important conservation milestone. The zoo's director has been leading efforts to collaborate with colleagues in South Africa to help protect this at-risk species.

The details

The Cincinnati Zoo posted a video on Facebook showing the newborn African penguin chicks swimming for the first time. According to the zoo, "Watching them paddle, splash and test out their waterproof feathers for the first time is a moment we won't forget." The zoo director, Dave Jenike, who has worked at the zoo for over 35 years, said the zoo has been actively engaged in efforts to protect the critically endangered African penguin population by collaborating with experts in South Africa.

  • The African penguin chicks were born at the Cincinnati Zoo for the first time in three years.

The players

Cincinnati Zoo

A zoo located in Cincinnati, Ohio that is home to a variety of animal species, including a population of critically endangered African penguins.

Dave Jenike

The director of the Cincinnati Zoo who has worked at the zoo for over 35 years and is leading efforts to collaborate with colleagues in South Africa to protect the critically endangered African penguin population.

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What they’re saying

“Watching them paddle, splash and test out their waterproof feathers for the first time is a moment we won't forget.”

— Cincinnati Zoo (Facebook)

“They are critically endangered, and they're a species that the again, our since I zoo was getting engaged in and collaborating with our colleagues in South Africa.”

— Dave Jenike, Cincinnati Zoo Director (WLWT)

What’s next

The Cincinnati Zoo will continue to monitor the growth and development of the African penguin chicks and work to support conservation efforts for this critically endangered species in collaboration with experts in South Africa.

The takeaway

The successful breeding and rearing of African penguin chicks at the Cincinnati Zoo represents an important milestone in the conservation of this critically endangered species. The zoo's long-standing commitment to collaborating with international partners to protect vulnerable wildlife populations is helping to ensure a future for these unique marine birds.