Meet Coco, Stella and Jerry, the newest penguins at Mumbai’s Byculla zoo

Though the penguin chicks were born a few months ago, their names were announced as part of the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo’s 161st anniversary celebrations.

While the penguin chicks were born a few months ago, their names were announced on Friday amid much fanfare

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Sprucing up the ongoing 161st anniversary celebrations at Mumbai’s Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo (Ranibaug) on Friday, the authorities announced the birth of three new penguins — Coco (female), Stella (female) and Jerry (male). While the penguin chicks were born a few months ago, their names were announced on Friday amid much fanfare, as they spent their day waddling through waters and mingling with fellow penguins. With their births, the total tally of penguins at the zoo has now shot up to 18.

The eldest of the chicks, Coco was born on April 27 to Molt (male) and Flipper (female), while Popeye (male) and Olive (female) gave birth to Stella on May 23. The youngest of the lot, Jerry, who was born to Donald (male) and Daisy (female), celebrates his birthday on June 27.

Earlier this year, the Byculla zoo had welcomed another baby penguin, named Dora, on February 21.

Speaking to The Indian Express, zoo director Sanjay Tripathi said that following their birth, the penguin chicks usually spend over a couple of months in the nesting area. “After a few months, their parents allow them to leave the nesting area. In the meantime, the doctors also determine their gender and administer their well-being,” Tripathi said.

“Penguins are social animals and now, they are enjoying their time mingling with their fellow penguins. They are healthy and spend their time playing in the water and running around,” added Dr Abhishek Satam, a biologist at the zoo.

The announcement of the newest zoo members came during the 161st anniversary celebrations on Friday. The botanical garden was inaugurated by Lady Frere, wife of Governor Henry Bartle Frere, on November 19, 1862. Zoo authorities told Express that the anniversary ceremony was postponed owing to the festive rush.

Seeking to aid visitors’ experience, the zoo also announced that five new wheelchairs had been procured through the Manrao Charitable Trust. Amidst the anniversary celebration, NGO Project Mumbai also provided 15 benches built from recycled plastic, donated by Mumbai residents.

Nayonika Bose

Nayonika Bose is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau. While in the early stages of her career, her focused reporting on local governance and community welfare already demonstrates clear Expertise and Trustworthiness in covering essential civic issues impacting Mumbai's residents. Expertise & Authority (E-E-A-T) Specialized Focus: Nayonika's reporting is dedicated to civic and community issues, providing readers with highly relevant, ground-level information about the functionality and administration of India's largest metropolitan area. Core Coverage Areas: Her articles highlight a strong focus on the fundamental quality of life and public safety in Mumbai, including: Civic Infrastructure: Reports on critical failures and initiatives related to public works, such as the recurring problem of unauthorized building collapses in Navi Mumbai, the construction of new infrastructure projects (like the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road and the Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge), and the maintenance of essential city services (e.g., manhole cover theft). Urban Governance & Crisis Management: Provides detailed coverage of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) response to major crises, particularly during the monsoon (e.g., heavy rainfall, water cuts, and public health concerns like dengue and malaria) and large-scale public safety incidents (e.g., the hoarding collapse fallout). Community Welfare & Rights: Reports on key social issues, including the financial aid scheme for persons with disabilities, the struggles of Mumbai's hawkers protesting eviction drives, and the dangers faced by workers due to the continuation of manual scavenging in water tanks. Cultural & Heritage Reporting: Covers significant community stories, including the restoration of British-era fountains and the history of institutions like the 126-year-old Chinchpokli cemetery, showing a breadth of interest beyond pure administration. Tweets @nayonikakb ... Read More

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