> At a Glance
> – Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ, hatched its third African penguin chick of the season on November 21
> – Voting runs through January 19 for one of four names: Scrappy, Zero, Flounder, or Toothless
> – Donations from the vote support African penguin conservation
> – Why it matters: Visitors can directly help protect endangered penguins while naming the aquarium’s newest star
A feisty, oversized African penguin chick needs a name, and Adventure Aquarium is turning to the public for help. The little bird-son of Hubert and Mushu and younger brother to December-hatched Shubert-has captured staff hearts with his bold personality.
How the naming works
Guests can cast a vote by dropping a donation into the box labeled with their favorite name. Proceeds benefit AZA SAFE African Penguins and SANCCOB, two frontline conservation groups working to save the species.
**Biologist Maddie Olszewski-Pohle says the chick’s personality inspired the finalists:
- Scrappy – reflects his scrappy, feisty attitude
- Zero – a nod to sidekick characters like his mom, Mushu (the dragon from Disney’s Mulan)
- Flounder – another sidekick-inspired option
- Toothless – drawn from beloved dragon sidekicks
Meet the penguin family
Hubert and Mushu are proving to be exceptional parents for the second time. Staff highlight how the pair share feeding and parenting duties equally, producing the season’s largest chick.
> “We are very excited for Mushu and Hubert to raise their second-ever chick. Both parents did an exceptional job feeding and caring for this chick, who is the biggest of the season.”
> – Maddie Olszewski-Pohle, biologist
Voting ends January 19, and the winning name will be revealed on January 20-fittingly Penguin Awareness Day.
Key Takeaways
- The chick hatched November 21 and is the aquarium’s third this season
- Names blend his feisty personality and mom Mushu’s sidekick legacy
- Donations support global African penguin conservation efforts
- Results drop on Penguin Awareness Day, January 20
Cast your vote before the deadline and help give the aquarium’s biggest baby penguin a name that sticks.
