COLUMBUS — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is honoring the life of its Humboldt penguin patriarch, Chirriante Bellfontaine.
Chirriante, referred to by his keepers as Chi-Chi or Old Man Chi, passed away due to age-related illness on Friday, February 4, the zoo said.
According to the zoo, Chirriante exceeded the median life expectancy for his species, which is 17.6 years. He was 29 years-old.
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Chirriante was part of the first group of Humboldt penguins to arrive at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 1996, the zoo said.
He helped raise the very first chick to hatch at the zoo and his legacy lives on through his 34 direct descendants, the zoo said. He also raised foster chicks over the years.
The zoo said Chirriante was a great nest decorator and would gather leaves, rocks, and items that his keepers would provide for decorating such as small carwash pieces and lavender, the zoo said. Chirriante would also “borrow” items from other penguins’ nests rather than searching for his own.
He was always the first penguin to greet keepers at the door just to make sure he got first dibs on the best fish, the zoo said.
“Chirriante Bellfontaine was one of a kind,” the zoo said. “He will be deeply missed.”
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