Penguin chicks less than week old win hearts at Featherdale Wildlife Park

• LAURA BANKS
• News Limited
• July 29, 2015

Head keeper Chad Farr holds penguin chicks less than a week old. Picture: Chris Pavlich
 

THEY’RE just days old but these fairy penguins have already stolen the heart of one grown man. 

Featherdale Wildlife Park general curator Chad Farr said, despite 18 years in the job, he had never tired of raising these tiny native Australian “treasures.”

“They’re beautiful and it’s such an incredible feeling to have these tiny little chicks absolutely dependent upon you,” Mr Farr said. “They have so much character from the time they are born. It’s such a rewarding experience.”

Mr Farr said the penguins’ gender would be determined by DNA testing when they are about six weeks old and, once the young penguins started to mature they would then be sent to other wildlife institutions throughout Australia for breeding.

“We’re very strict with who we put them with, genetics is critical to ensure long-term survival and the best breeding,” he said.

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