BOSTON — An endangered penguin at the New England Aquarium in Boston is celebrating a milestone birthday.
“Lambert,” an African penguin, turned 30 on Wednesday, far exceeding the life expectancy for his species.
The NEAQ says African penguins usually live about 10-15 years. Lambert was hatched at the aquarium on April 20, 1992.
HIs rare age has come with some complications.
The NEAQ says Lambert underwent double cataract surgery in October 2019 and receives daily eye drops.
“Lambert also received a melatonin implant last summer to help with an overdue molt, an issue that is common with birds in their natural environments,” according to a statement from the NEAQ.
Lambert also has a longtime significant other - an almost 12-year-old female African penguin he has been mated with since 2016.
Lambert is the fifth oldest penguin at the Aquarium and one of two African penguins marking big birthdays this year. Harlequin, a female penguin, will turn 30 in November.
The NEAQ says African penguins are an endangered species.
“Colonies along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia are threatened by the depletion of food from overfishing, climate change, and pollution.” according to a statement from the aquarium. “Over the last 30 years, the number of African penguins breeding in South Africa has declined by 73% from 42,500 breeding pairs in 1991 to 10,400 pairs in 2021.”
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