Four female African penguins, also known as black-footed or jackass penguins, now call Honolulu Zoo home

Lutalo, 7, was brought to the zoo from Minnesota, while Gayle, 6, came from San Diego. Lutalo and Gayle were introduced to the zoo’s existing group of six male penguins earlier this week and are currently on exhibit in the African savanna.

Currently, two more African penguins, Nandi, 3, also from Minnesota, and Barbara, 2, from San Diego, are in quarantine, zoo officials said, and will join the others on exhibit when cleared.

African penguins, according to San Diego Zoo, are found in large colonies along the southwestern coast of Africa and many surrounding islands.

They are black and white, with dotted flecks across white chests in unique patterns that distinguish one penguin from another, and have black feet.

They are such fast swimmers that they “fly” through the water to catch a variety of fish in the cold ocean currents, Honolulu Zoo officials said, but return to land to nest on shore.

Adult African penguins grow up to about 25 inches tall and weigh approximately 6 to 7 pounds.

African penguins, or Spheniscus demersus, are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The species is undergoing a very rapid population decline, according to IUCN, mostly due to food shortages as well as other threats such as oil spills, competition with Cape Fur Seals for food, and mortality from fishing nets.

As part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan, the four female penguins have been identified as good genetic matches for the resident males at Honolulu Zoo.

Visit honolulu.gov/zoo.html to learn more.