Baltimore's Baby Penguins Take Their First Plunge

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Seven baby penguins took their first plunge in the outdoor pool with the rest of the colony at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.

One of the most popular exhibits at the Maryland Zoo is the penguins, but did you know that our zoo is part of a vital network helping to keep the captive population healthy.

What WJZ's Mike Schuh saw Thursday was a bit like birth, or rebirth.

Seven humans and seven penguins. 5 months olds that have never been outside, ever. Until right this very moment.

There were seven that first hatched.

The adults, in their black coats, look on.

The keepers don't know if the juvenile gray coats will run to the water or away from it.

But the keepers soon found out they're not so much afraid of the water... but of everything.

Blue sky, big humans, cold water, who wouldn't run?

"Actually, I was hoping they'd go right into the water," said one trainer. "Usually they just stand there and are kind of scared."

Someone's got to be a leader, and one of the baby penguins starts a trend by darting left and hopping in.

The others are unsure at first, but then they decide, why not? Lets take a 40 degree dip. But there are still three that think their cousins are nuts.

A full minute goes by, now witness some penguin persuasion.

One leads by example, and the followers, well, they follow the leader.

A happy introduction to the waters of Penguin Coast.

Taking to it like, well, a penguin in the water, They are having a look around, exploring the entire enclosure. But some learn the hard way, that glass is not just more water. Ouch.

Overall? A good day for these penguins and future generations.

"We're trying to maintain a diverse gene pool here," said one trainer.

Some of these birds may move to another aquarium or zoo to be partnered with other penguins to have chicks of their own.

So now that they've been put in the water, these guys are going to stay with the colony. So if you ever come visit the zoo, they'll be the ones dressed in the gray tuxedos. The zoo is open 1 to 4 p.m. every day.

The chicks are named: Hydra, Apollo, Luna, Hubble, Io, Sputnik and Sirius.

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