MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Zoo is welcoming a new member to its family.
An African black-footed penguin chick hatched into the world on Oct. 22, 2023, to proud parents, mom Betty and dad Pippin. The Zoo said to keep with the ‘Lord of the Rings’ theme from dad Pippin, the new chick is named Elrond. (Lord Elrond was the half-Elf ruler and Lord of Rivendell in the stories.)
Elrond is the Memphis Zoo’s 48th chick, and the first for Betty and Pippin. He’s currently being cared for by hand by zookeepers. It’s all part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums African black-footed penguin Species Survival Plan. The Memphis Zoo works with other AZA-accredited groups to keep a sustainable population of the penguins.
The zoo’s African penguin colony was established in 1987 and currently has 18 birds hanging out at Penguin Rock.
Elrond will live in the hatchery for two more months before being introduced to the penguin colony.
