Adorable Alert! Evansville Welcomes a New Penguin Chick at Mesker Park Zoo

One of the most popular families at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden has grown by one, and this will make you so happy.

Mesker Park Zoo's New Chick

Proud penguin parents Marco and Marcona recently welcomed their very first chick, marking an exciting milestone for the zoo’s growing Humboldt Penguin family. The chick, named Polo, hatched on February 10th, 2025, and is already making waves.

Baby Penguin Gender

In the bird world, you can't just tell if it is a boy or girl right off the bat. In order to determine the sex of the chick, a blood sample has been sent to be evaluated. This process usually takes around three months.

Following in Louie Pickle’s Flipper Prints

If Polo’s story sounds familiar, that’s because Mesker Park Zoo celebrated another fluffy bundle of joy in 2023—Louie Pickle! Born to penguin power couple Charrida and Adrian Pickle, Louie Pickle was the first Humboldt Penguin chick to hatch at the zoo. Now, Polo follows in Louie’s wobbly little footsteps, bringing even more excitement to the penguin habitat.

Louie Pickle

Like Louie before, Polo will remain in the nest box until developing waterproof feathers and learning the fine art of penguin paddling. So while we may not see this tiny tuxedoed tot taking a dive just yet, rest assured the zoo will keep everyone updated with plenty of adorable content.

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Humboldt Penguins: Cool Birds from Warm Places

Many people assume penguins love the cold, but Humboldt Penguins actually hail from the coasts of Chile and Peru, where the climate is much warmer. When Evansville’s temperatures drop below freezing, Mesker Park Zoo makes sure their colony stays warm and comfy indoors.

Even more importantly, Polo’s arrival plays a crucial role in conservation. Humboldt Penguins are a threatened species, and every hatchling contributes to their survival. Mesker Park Zoo is actively involved in conservation efforts in Punta San Juan, working to protect wild penguin populations for generations to come.

When Can You See Polo?

While Polo won’t be making any public appearances just yet, visitors can still catch a glimpse of Marco, Marcona, and the rest of the penguin crew at the zoo. And don’t worry—the zoo’s social media team will keep everyone posted with updates, pictures, and videos of the little fluffball’s journey.