#Japan #Tokyo #Sunshine Aquarium #Cape Penguin #Penguin Hatching

Exciting News from Sunshine Aquarium

The Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, is thrilled to announce the hatch of a baby Cape penguin on October 14, 2025. This joyful event marks the first successful hatching for the couple, Pink Lime (male) and Kurumi (female).

To enhance the probability of successful hatching, the aquarium temporarily cared for the egg to maintain optimal conditions before returning it to the parents just days before the hatch. Visitors now have the unique opportunity to observe the precious moments of the newborn penguin in the 'Grassland Penguins' tank, as this is the first baby Cape penguin born at Sunshine Aquarium in a year and a half.

The little penguin, currently under the loving watch of its parents, is often seen nestled at their feet, happily chirping occasionally. Guests can closely witness how the parents nurture their chick, feeding it with regurgitated food and preening its feathers from a distance of about two meters, providing a fantastic opportunity to observe their interactions.

The baby will continue to be displayed in the Marine Garden's 'Grassland Penguins' tank with its parents. However, it will remain covered in soft down feathers for approximately 60 days until mid-December, which makes this a rare chance to see it in this adorable stage. Visitors are encouraged to watch quietly as the chick occasionally peeks out from between its parents' feet.

After a successful rearing, the baby Cape penguin will receive a name chosen through votes from visitors from a list of suggested names by the staff. Sunshine Aquarium is dedicated to using advanced breeding techniques to promote species survival and provide guests with memorable experiences through exhibitions.

The Birth Process

The newborn chick weighed 68 grams on its second day, and its gender is currently indeterminate as determining the sex visually is challenging; a DNA test will be necessary for confirmation later.

The mother, Kurumi, is 7 years old and came to the aquarium on June 3, 2022, as part of a breeding loan from Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise. This is her first experience of laying eggs. The father, Pink Lime, is 15 years old and was born at Sunshine Aquarium on March 1, 2010.

Breeding Season

The breeding season for the Cape penguins at Sunshine Aquarium typically runs from October through early spring. Kurumi laid her egg on September 5, 2025, and by day 37, evidence of the chick tapping on the eggshell was observed on October 11, leading to the successful hatch on October 14.

Importance of Incubation Techniques

Penguins usually incubate their eggs for about 40 days. When an egg disappears shortly after laying, the parent penguins might prepare for the next brood prematurely, which can be detrimental to their health. To alleviate this natural burden, the aquarium sometimes uses dummy eggs during the incubation process to help maintain the parenting instincts of the adults.

These dummy eggs can assist in monitoring growth and ensuring that parent penguins continue their nesting behavior, thus enhancing their willingness to engage in nurturing when a real egg is returned.

Breeding Loan Concept

The breeding loan program involves the exchange of animals between zoos and aquariums to enhance the genetic diversity of endangered species while working together to conserve them. This approach allows for successful breeding outcomes, as individual facilities cannot always achieve this alone due to resource limits. Through such collaborations, the Sunshine Aquarium and other institutions strive to increase breeding opportunities and prevent species extinction.

About Cape Penguins

Cape Penguins are the only penguin species native to Africa, standing about 60 cm tall and weighing between 3 and 4 kg. They primarily feed on sardines and are known for nesting in rocky crevices or under bushes. For more exciting information, visit the Sunshine Aquarium's website.

In conclusion, the birth of this baby Cape penguin signifies hope and continues Sunshine Aquarium’s mission of promoting conservation through education and engaging public experiences. Make sure to visit and witness this precious new addition to the penguin family while you can!