The Cincinatti Zoo welcomed its first baby animal of 2016 on Friday, a birth which became more significant with the news of the death of beloved musician David Bowie.
Friday happened to be both Elvis Presley's and David Bowie's birthday, so when the zoo welcomed its new blue penguin, both names were considered. The zoo already has a king penguin named "The King," so it was decided on Friday that the new chick would be named "Bowie," the Associated Press reports.
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Meet Bowie, the first Zoo Baby of 2016! The chick was named after @DavidBowieReal because today is his birthday! pic.twitter.com/96uF0LLDm0— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) January 8, 2016
Sadly, Bowie died Sunday after a year and a half battle with cancer. He was 69.
ICYMI: Penguin chick "Bowie" hatched Friday, making it @CincinnatiZoo's first baby of 2016 https://t.co/GCMSy0Qmhi pic.twitter.com/dYXL35Sw2v— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) January 9, 2016
The Cincinnati Zoo currently has 33 little penguins -- the largest colony of penguins in the U.S., according to the zoo's bird keeper Jennifer Gainer.
The zoo says that little penguins prefer milder weather, so visitors won't be able to sneak a peek at the new chicks until spring.
BONUS: 10 unforgettable David Bowie film appearances
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