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Two new siblings have joined the Magellanic penguins family: "Kibi" and "Dango" have been born.
Sumida Aquarium (Location: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; General Manager: Rui Kawasumi) is pleased to announce that two Magellanic penguins chicks were born on Thursday, April 30th and Monday, May 4th, 2026, and have been named "Kibi" and "Dango." This marks the first time siblings have been born in the same year at Sumida Aquarium since "Anko" and "Anmitsu" in 2017.
The parents of "Kibi" and "Dango" are both "Omochi" (male) and "Peach" (female), and "Kibi" is the first baby of their father, "Omochi," who was born at Sumida Aquarium in 2020.
Kibi, born on April 30th, was named after the Japanese folktale "Momotaro" (Peach Boy), inspired by his mother Peach, and the "kibi dango" (millet dumpling). The name reflects the hope that he will grow up strong and healthy like Momotaro. Dango, born on May 4th, was named because he hatched from a perfectly round egg, just like a dumpling, and because he gets along well with his sibling Kibi. Together, the two birds spell "kibi dango," and we hope that their presence will be a source of energy for all visitors.
At our aquarium, we solicit name suggestions from our staff for newborn aquatic animals, and animal care staff selects the best name from among the candidates. We carefully consider the compatibility of the names with the parents and choose names that have a distinctly Japanese sound, hoping that many people will feel a sense of familiarity and affection for the animals as they grow up.
With the birth of these two penguins, the total number of penguins born at Sumida Aquarium since its opening in 2012 has reached 32. This year marks the birth of the second and third penguins, following "Jinbei"*, who was born on April 24th.
Currently, Kibi and Dango are growing up healthy in the back area under the care of the animal care staff. If their growth continues to be successful, they are scheduled to make their debut in the pool where the adult penguins stay sometime after July. We will be regularly posting updates on their daily growth, including their journey to the pool and how they eat, on Sumida Aquarium's official social media accounts. In addition, starting May 15th (Friday), we will be displaying some of the posts from the "#SumipenBabyDiary" project currently running on our official Twitter account (@Sumida_Aquarium) on panels within the aquarium.
Please warmly watch over the adorable penguins siblings, "Kibidango," as they grow up.
■ Details about Magellanic penguins chicks
Name: "Kibi"
Parents: Omochi (male), Peach (female)
Spawning date: March 22nd (Sunday)
Hatching date: April 30th (Thursday)
Weight: 104.0 grams (as of May 4th)
Name origin: The name "Kibi" was chosen in reference to the Japanese folktale "Momotaro," which is associated with the mother's name "Peach," and also derived from "kibi dango" (millet dumplings). The image of a baby powerfully breaking out of an eggshell to hatch reminds us of Momotaro, who was born energetically from a peach, which is another reason for the name. In addition, "kibi dango" can also be written as "吉備団子," and the inclusion of the kanji character "吉" (kichi, meaning good fortune) makes it auspicious. The name also reflects our wish that the baby will grow up strong and healthy like Momotaro.
Name: "Dango"
Parents: Omochi (male), Peach (female)
Spawning date: Thursday, March 26th
Hatching date: May 4th (Monday)
Weight: 112.4 grams (as of May 8th)
Origin of the name: The name comes from the fact that it hatched from a beautiful, perfectly round egg, like a dumpling, and from the fact that the distinctive eyebrow-like markings of Magellanic penguins chicks resembled the round shape of a dumpling. Also, the name goes well with its sibling "Kibi," and together they spell out "Kibidango," so we hope that it will grow up to be a source of energy for all visitors.
■ Panel display showcasing posts from the social media collaboration project "#SumipenBabyDiary"
Sumida Aquarium's official Twitter account (@Sumida_Aquarium) is running a project called "#SumipenBabyDiary" that shares the daily growth records of baby penguins from the perspective of the animal care staff . By providing timely photos and videos of everything from birth to their first time in the pool, how they eat, and changes in their behavior, many people can feel closer to their growth process. In this exhibition, some of the posts from the past will be displayed on panels inside the aquarium. Even those unfamiliar with social media can see how the babies are growing. Please come and see these precious babies, which can only be seen now.
Display period: May 15th (Fri) to late July
Posting location: 5th floor, in front of the elevator
