At the beginning of December the Two Oceans Aquarium was excited to welcome three new African penguins – Labamba, Nonu and Laduma – to its colony.

As part of our population management of this endangered species we identified that we needed to recruit two new females and one new male. The newbies were kept in an acclimatisation pen for the first three days in order for them to get used to the many new stimuli in their new home, the Sappi River Meander, as well as for our existing birds to be able to slowly and safely get to know their new pool mates.

Zuki and Nonu were separated onto another beach in the Sappi River Meander Exhibit to help encourage bonding. Once we have observed signs of bonding they will be reunited with the rest of the African penguins. After that it is all up to the birds…
The new arrivals were introduced to their new family under close scrutiny of the penguin keepers at the Aquarium. We were very excited for the birds as they were entering into a new and very enriching world complete with sand, water in motion, sealife, loud commentary, excited guests, new companions and many more other discoveries.

Laduma seemed to be the most relaxed in terms of joining her newfound friends. She immediately slotted into the group with little or no fuss from any of the birds.

Ayoba, the little stud, seems to have caught the attention of both the pretty girls and the three of them can usually be seen swimming side by side. This must be a very stimulating time for him as Labamba and Laduma are both his age, whereas the rest of our colony are more mature than him. So finally some youngsters with similar interests to him!

All three of our new African penguins are doing well. They have integrated easily with our resident colony, and are eating and behaving in a very positive and encouraging manner.

We look forward to seeing which pair bonds will form over the next few years, and how successful they will be in their breeding endeavours.

Find out more about the African penguin here.

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