A short stop in the Land of the Cold, and more specifically in the penguin cave… Hera has taken an important step in her incredible adventure: she has officially joined the penguin colony this week!

Let us refresh your memory.

Hera is the first King Penguin to be born at Pairi Daiza, on 15 July 2024. But from the very first moments, our zookeepers had to intervene. The chick was unable to break the eggshell to come out. Its blood vessels were still attached to the shell. It had an umbilical hernia, and its abdominal wall wasn’t closed. A very delicate operation was necessary. And fortunately, it was successful!

Due to her fragile health, Hera had to be raised away from the colony, under the attentive and caring guidance of the park’s keepers. Growing up away from her fellow penguins meant she had to learn to swim by herself, an extra challenge. With patience and perseverance, she gradually got accustomed to the water behind the scenes: first in a small pool, and later in deeper water. She learned to slide on her belly, move gracefully, and eventually master the art of swimming.

Now you can follow her development in her new environment, where she is gradually integrating with the other members of the colony. A story that ends on a happy note and opens a promising new chapter for Hera. A magical moment to come and discover.