The Lincoln community has spoken: “Chile” is the name of the Lincoln Children’s Zoo’s newest humboldt penguin chick.
After fielding hundreds suggestions from the public, zoo staff narrowed it down to five names: Chile, Harriet, Amelia, Poppy, and Josie — and left it to a vote of the people.
“Chile is an extra special name because Humboldt penguins live in colonies along the Pacific Coasts of Peru and Chile,” said Lincoln Children’s Zoo in a Facebook post announcing the name.
Zoo staff says Chile will remain behind-the-scenes while she continues to grow and form her waterproof feathers.
Chile is the second child from her mom, Sharkbait, and dad, John Henry. This is Sharkbait and John Henry’s second chick, following Percy, who hatched in April of 2024.
“The birth of a vulnerable species such as the Humboldt penguins is incredibly important for these conservation efforts since they face a high risk of extinction in the wild,” said Evan Killeen, Lincoln Children’s Zoo CEO.
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program. The program develops a Breeding and Transfer Plan which identifies population goals and recommendations to manage a genetically diverse, demographically varied, and biologically sound population. The plan’s coordinators approved breeding recommendations for the Zoo’s penguins Sharkbait and John Henry.