The Korora is actually believed to be fairly closely related to the Magellanic penguin, compared to most of the rest of the penguins. Despite the differences in their genus (the Magellanic belongs to the genus "Spheniscus" and the Korora to the genus "Eudyptula,") most scientists believe that the Eudyptula penguins (only one extant, but likely extinct ones) were the last ones to diverge from the Spheniscus genus.
As we talked about a few weeks back, the Korora is labeled as "Least Concern" by the IUCN, and inhaibts Australia and New Zealand, as well as a few other random islands in the vicinity. Interestingly enough, the Korora has also been reported in Chile and South Africa, although the probability of these animals being vagrants (essentially, lost) is quite high. However, most penguinologists are certain that many populations of penguins started out as vagrants, so who knows! It is how they would get from one place to another.
The Penguin Parade (see below) is a major tourist attraction.
The penguin parade. Photo Credit Mark and Julie Neher |
And for those of you who want something a bit more"cutesie," HERE is a video of Cookie, the Korora, being tickled by humans at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio!
Native to the South American countries of Chile, Argentina, and occasionally Brazil, the Magellanic penguin is one of four of the Spheniscus genus of penguins, including the African, Humboldt and Galápagos penguins. Labeled as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN, somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 of these penguins are killed each year by oil spills, which has resulted in their decreased IUCN status.
Next, we have two amusing Magellanic penguin videos. The FIRST is of a Magellanic on a plane, and the SECOND is a trio of Magellanics who accidentally knock over the camera that is filming them. Enjoy!
Now, we have a few really cute pictures of some of the Magellanic penguins from Sea World: Orlando in Florida! The second two photos are from a publicity thing where some people from Sea World: Orlando brought some Magellanics to the Star newsroom! How cute!
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