SEA LIFE Sydney makes history with the arrival of Sydney’s first sub-Antarctic penguin eggs!

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium has officially waddled into the history books with the arrival of the attraction’s first Gentoo penguin eggs!

The laying of the eggs to five different Gentoo pairs is a step in the right direction for a successful first year of sub-Antarctic penguin breeding for the attraction, and is a testament to how quickly the penguins have settled into their new home since arriving in November last year.

Penguin keepers from the attraction were lucky enough to witness a number of the eggs being laid, including the first egg of first-parents Chop and Bonito. Three guests also witnessed the once-in-a-lifetime event during their Penguin Passport experience, as they watched Roxy and Woody lay their first egg in Sydney.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Bird Manager, Dani Farah, said the laying of these eggs is an exciting time for the attraction, but it’s important to not count the eggs before they hatch. “This is our first breeding season at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, and the combination of the infancy of the exhibit and the fact that the majority of our penguins are first time parents, makes it very exciting and unexpected to have multiple eggs laid. We are all so proud of what we have achieved so far!” said Miss Farah. “With that said, the future of these eggs is not guaranteed as we are unsure if the eggs are fertile, however just by watching our new proud parents and how doting they are in taking turns incubating the eggs, we have high hopes and only time will tell to see if we will hear the pitter patter of little Gentoo feet.”

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium General Manager, Richard Dilly said he hopes that the attraction can emulate the success of its sister attractions, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium and SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Auckland, both of who have an excellent sub-Antarctic breeding record. “We’re very thrilled with the arrival of these Gentoo penguin eggs which no doubt demonstrates that the birds have settled into their new home nicely. The penguin’s parenting skills will be put to the test over the next few weeks during the incubation stage, but the husbandry skills of the dedicated team are second to none and the penguins and their eggs are in the best of hands.”

Over the next few weeks, Penguin keepers will continue to observe the new parents and their eggs, allowing them to get their bearings in this new parenting journey. Guests to the attraction may be lucky enough to see the eggs for themselves in the attraction’s Penguin Expedition display either when the parents are checking or rearranging their eggs, or when they switch incubation duties.