TAMPA, Florida — Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is ready to celebrate some very special milestones this weekend: four new arrivals and a first birthday.

  • Guests can see for first time 4 new African Penguin chicks Saturday
  • Sunday: Birthday celebration for Bornean Orangutan Malu, 1
  • Both species endangered in the wild

On Saturday, October 13, which happens to be African Penguin Awareness Day, park guests will have their first opportunity to help welcome four new African Penguin chicks to the park's rookery. Guests can see the hatchlings in the Animal Care center between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

According to park officials, this group represents the largest group of penguins ever hatched at Busch Gardens. Varying in age from two to four weeks old, the chicks are under 24-hour supervision with the park's animal care team.

On Sunday, October 14, park visitors can head over to the Jungala area to join in the birthday celebration for Malu, who will be a year old. Malu was born to first-time mom Orangutan Luna last year.

Park officials called Malu's birth at the park "monumental," as Bornean Orangutans tend to only have one baby every 7-10 years. 

Both African Penguins and Bornean Orangutans are endangered species in the wild, largely due to habitat loss caused by humans, according to the park. Busch Gardens's animal care efforts are part of the Species Survival Plans for both species.

For more information about the park's conservation efforts, visit their website.