Baby Boom is Coming: First Penguin Chicks of the Season Hatch Near Ukrainian Antarctic Station

The first penguin chicks of the season were born near the Ukrainian Antarctic station Akademik Vernadsky. This was reported by the National Antarctic Science Centre on social media.

‘Get ready for an incredible cuteness: the first penguin chicks of this season were born near the Akademik Vernadsky station. Look how cute they are,’ the polar explorers wrote.

It is noted that the biologist of the 29th UAE Svitozar Davydenko found two babies at once in the nest, in which the first eggs appeared, on a rock near the geospace research laboratory.

‘The first cub is already active - feeding, squeaking, so it is about half a day old. And the second one must have hatched right before I came, because it is still in pieces of shell and hiding under an adult penguin,’ the scientist said.

Now, the babies will stay in the nest with their parents for about a month. Now the newborn penguins are covered with grey fluff, but in about a month they will start to change it to the usual black and white feathers. Over time, they will gather in ‘nurseries’ - small groups of children who will be supervised by several adults, the National Antarctic Science Centre said.

They also reminded that Galindez Island is dominated by sub-Antarctic penguins. In general, each pair lays 2 eggs. There are about 4,000 penguins there now.