A king penguin has been born at Ski Dubai, the first to hatch in the Middle East.

The chick arrived in the penguin habitat on February 17 to parents Bubbles and Wall-E. The two had been taking turns keeping the egg warm with a small flap of their skin just above their feet. The two took turns feeding the chick.

Ski Dubai's penguin experts have been closely monitoring the chick's weight, nutrition and progress since.

The chick's gender is still unknown and a DNA test is under way. Results are expected soon.

"We are extremely proud to announce the birth of this King chick,” said Omar El Banna, marketing and sales director at Majid Al Futtaim Leisure and Entertainment. "The chick is living proof of the success of our penguins programme, an extension of the multi-generation breeding programme in the United States.”

In the first month, the chick managed to grow from 218 grams to 2.8 kilograms. It will not participate in penguin encounters until it is at least a year old.

"There is a very specific process before this can occur and the penguin's health and safety will continue to be our top priority,” said Peter Dickinson, head of Ski Dubai's penguin department.

The birth announcement was delayed to ensure the health and safety of the chick.

UAE residents will soon have a chance to name the chick as part of Ski Dubai competition.
Source: The National