The Tulsa Zoo has officially named its two female African penguin chicks: Robben and Pearl. The older chick, Robben, is named after Robben Island, a historic site off the coast of South Africa known for its African penguin breeding colonies. She can be identified by a navy blue and orange band on her wing.
The zoo’s younger chick, Pearl, wears a purple and green band. Her name pays tribute to the treasured gem, symbolizing the rare and special nature of African penguins, which are listed as critically endangered.
According to the Tulsa Zoo, both chicks are healthy, growing well, and now visible to the public in the zoo’s penguin exhibit.
The zoo says these birds play a vital role in educating visitors about the challenges African penguins face in the wild due to habitat loss, overfishing, and climate change.
For guests who want a more personal experience, the zoo offers behind-the-scenes penguin encounters every Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
These sessions give participants the chance to meet a penguin up close and learn from the zoo’s animal care team in an interactive, immersive setting.
Bookings for the weekend encounters can be made on the Tulsa Zoo website: tulsazoo.ticketapp.org
