Penguin chicks make public debut at Milwaukee County Zoo

MILWAUKEE (CBS, KYMA) - The Milwaukee County Zoo announced it was introducing two new penguins to its population, posting footage of the pair's growth Monday.

The zoo said its newest residents, Humboldt penguin chicks Pike and Marlin, hatched in April and have been hand-raised behind the scenes, with caretakers introducing new foods, administering antibiotics, and performing routine exams.

Once the chicks were strong enough and had begun the molting process, growing waterproof adult feathers, they were introduced to swimming with a kiddie pool holding only a few inches of water.

"They're unsure about the whole situation at first, but the care team does this daily, gradually increasing the amount of water," the zoo said in a press release. "By the end of the first week, the kiddie pool is full, and the chicks look forward to pool time every day."

The adorable young males were introduced into the Penguins of the Pacific habitat in July.

According to the zoo, Pike is "outgoing, curious, and very interested" in zookeepers.

"Marlin is a bit more independent and prefers to do his own thing," the zoo said. "Both chicks are big fans of swimming, enjoying the large pool in their habitat."