At a gender reveal party, the Oceanarium in Bournemouth has announced that its youngest Humboldt penguin is a girl.

The penguin, named Ponyo, was hatched on 12 May by same-sex couple Diego and Zorro. Her name was chosen through a naming competition earlier this year.

Until recently, the aquatic team had been busy with the chick, getting ready to be released into the colony where Ponyo was finally reunited with her proud dads. Ponyo has now settled very well into the colony.

When a chick is first hatched, it is not possible to determine the sex straight away. Identifying a penguin chick’s gender is carried out by the analysis of DNA from a feather sample. This can only be done when the chick has molted their natural down feather and their adult waterproof feathers have emerged.

Ponyo is now finally at an age where her gender could be revealed.

Penguin keeper Melissa Mudge said: “Ponyo has developed really well in the last couple of months. She is eating really well and couldn’t be in a healthier position.

“Ideally, we wanted her to be a girl to balance the girl/boy ratio, but of course we would be happy whatever the gender was. We are very proud of Ponyo and how well she is doing.

“Ponyo is extremely curious, playful and entertaining to watch as she builds more confidence within the colony. It is worth anyone’s while to come and say hello to Ponyo because she will undoubtedly brighten up your day.”