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African Black-Footed Penguins Hatch At Monterey Bay Aquarium

MONTEREY (CBS/AP) -- Staff members at the Monterey Bay Aquarium are excited about two penguins that hatched at the aquarium over the past week.

Officials say after an African black-footed penguin chick hatched last Saturday, a second one hatched Tuesday.

Aquarium spokeswoman Karen Jeffries says both chicks are "doing well."

Still, because the mortality rate is high among young penguins, aquarium staff will be keeping a close eye on the chicks with a "nest cam" and video monitor.

Aquarium officials say both chicks will be raised as what they term "education birds" that will interact with the public as part of educational programs at the aquarium.

Because the penguin chicks are so young, officials say it's too early to determine if they're male or female.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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