Aquarium succeeds in artificial insemination of penguins

SHIMONOSEKI, Yamaguchi -- An aquarium here has succeeded in Japan's first artificial insemination of penguins, aquarium officials have announced.

The Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum "Kaikyokan" said on May 24 that frozen sperm was used in what made the aquarium the world's second facility to succeed in artificial insemination of penguins.

"The success with the use of frozen sperm, which can be preserved semi-permanently, will serve as an effective technology that can contribute to the conservation of the species," said a Kaikyokan official.

According to the aquarium, the sperm of a Humboldt penguin named "Genki" was frozen and used in the insemination into a female penguin called "Happy," resulting in the hatching of two chicks -- on April 7 and 10, respectively.