Marwell Zoo’s baby Humboldt Penguins given a clean bill of health

The checks that were conducted are part of a routine examination that is done to ensure that the penguin chicks are healthy and are growing as expected with no health issues.

The penguins are inspected with Marwell’s Acting Veterinary Services Manager, Dr Sarah Jayne Smith, checking their stomachs, feet, feathers, beaks and mouths.

Doctor Sarah said: ‘I also take a small blood sample from a vein in the chick’s foot. I send this away to find out if our chicks are boys or girls – it can be very hard to tell in penguins, even when they are adults.’

They are also given coloured armbands so that the zookeeper's can keep track of what penguin is where.

Humboldt Penguins come from Chile and Peru but have been listed as vulnerable to extinction on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.