Penguin chick named Bielsa in honour of Leeds United's return to the Premier League

A young penguin chick has been named Bielsa in honour of the managerial mastermind behind Leeds United side having just p-p-picked up a place in the Premier League.
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The chick is one of a clutch of new arrivals at Lotherton Hall, where staff have decided to honour the Whites’ manager after his team secured the Championship and promotion to football’s top table for the first time in 16 years.

Bielsa and his fellow chicks hatched a few weeks ago and have since been settling in under the watchful eyes of their mums and dads as well as the team of experts at the Aberford estate’s Wildlife World attraction which has now fully re-opened to the public following the coronavirus lockdown.

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After finding their feet, the chicks have now become the latest additions to Wildlife World’s colony of Humboldt penguins.

Lotherton Wildlife World near Leeds, has for the first time successfully bred Humboldt penguin chicks. The chicks are now around 13 weeks old still dependant on their parents and now mixing with others in the colony.Lotherton Wildlife World near Leeds, has for the first time successfully bred Humboldt penguin chicks. The chicks are now around 13 weeks old still dependant on their parents and now mixing with others in the colony.
Lotherton Wildlife World near Leeds, has for the first time successfully bred Humboldt penguin chicks. The chicks are now around 13 weeks old still dependant on their parents and now mixing with others in the colony.
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Read More: How Lotherton Hall attracts half a million people a year

“Penguin chicks are extremely delicate and vulnerable, so we’ve been paying close attention to them during the crucial first few weeks and making sure they have the best possible chance with regular checks from specialist vets.

“All our penguins are first time parents too, so they’re learning how to raise their chicks from scratch. Humbolt penguins usually mate for life, so if the males have done enough to impress their new partners, we could have some more eggs and chicks in future, which will be great news for the international breeding programme and our efforts to help preserve vulnerable species for future generations.”

Factfile

Humboldt Penguins at Lotherton Hall.Humboldt Penguins at Lotherton Hall.
Humboldt Penguins at Lotherton Hall.

Native to the west coast of Chile and Peru, Humboldt penguins are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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During courtship, a potential couple will bow their heads to one other and exchange mutual glances with each eye alternatively. Once mating is successful, most penguin mums will lay two eggs of the same size four days apart that incubate for around 41 days.

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