A “plump” penguin so soft he looks like a stuffed toy got very excited during a recent weigh-in.
The adorable aquatic bird has captured hearts on social, with the video getting over 10.9m views.
The 44-day-old baby is the 16th emperor penguin to join Adventure World and the first in four years.
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The keepers are taking good care of the chick, along with its parents, and keeping track of its weight.
In the clip, a keeper can be seen lifting the baby into a basket on the scales.
The grey, fluffy animal then turned around a couple of times before making a few chirps.
It continued to make noise and spis round in its basket before being fed.
“My body is getting bigger and my footing is getting stronger!,” the caption read.
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The clip has since gained almost one million likes and 9,000 comments.
Liz said: “Stuffed toy looks just like the real deal.”
Angela added: “I just want to know what it was like to pick up that little guy he’s so squishy, plump, and adorable. Oh my goodness.”
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Sha’an said: “Omg I thought it was a toy for too long.”
Spankie added: “I have finally found the best video on the internet.”
Tori said: “For a second I thought he was going to lift a stuffed animal. So cute.”
Ryann added: “I like when he flicks his head up and he does a little Happy chirp.”
Dr Masha said: “So adorable.”
Alyanna added: “Dream job.”
The egg was laid on 26 July and to ensure the baby’s stable development, it was kept in an incubator.
From 26 September to 30 September, staff assisted in cracking the shell.
“At Adventure World, staff play the role of parent birds and carefully raise the babies using ‘early artificial rearing’,” said the zoo in Japan.
“Feeding them while playing recorded parent bird calls until they reach a weight of around 600g, at which point their bodies begin to gain strength.
“On 21 October, an attempt was made to place the baby in the care of a different young pair with the parents in the hopes of raising it naturally, but as no feeding behaviour was observed, the attempt was abandoned and a switch to artificial rearing was made.
“After that, the baby’s weight exceeded 800g and its cries for food became stronger, so on 27 October, the baby was returned to the young pair and another attempt at natural rearing was made.
“However, although the baby was in good health, observations did not confirm any feeding behaviour from the young pair, so on 28 October, a switch was made again to artificial rearing.”
For now, the fluffy chick continues to charm everyone at Adventure World – growing bigger, stronger and even cuter with every weigh-in.
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