Babies hatch on to the Kelly Tarlton’s scene

Photo: RICHARD ROBINSON

BABY SEASON: This newly-hatched gentoo penguin chick is one of the new arrivals on display at Kelly Tarlton’s.

It’s all about babies at Kelly Tarlton’s, with newly arrived school sharks, eagle ray pups and gentoo penguin chicks on display.

The baby school sharks were born prematurely and are being nursed by Kelly Tarlton’s until they’re strong enough to make it on their own.

In the meantime, visitors get a rare opportunity to see them up close and watch their three-times-daily feedings in Stingray Bay.

Joining them in their nursery tank are eagle ray pups and in the penguin enclosure, eggs are hatching, chicks are feeding and soon the first born of the season will be old enough to venture out on the ice into the penguin crèche.

More new arrivals are expected during the month-long baby season, including soon-to-hatch carpet sharks and baby hapuku.

Meanwhile in Fish Alley the seahorses are preparing to have their babies – but people won’t find any expectant mums here since it’s the fathers that give birth and raise the babies.

Throughout the month special areas are being set up around Kelly Tarlton’s to get visitors as close as possible to the babies as soon as they’re old enough. The team will be giving three talks a day, introducing visitors to the babies, answering questions and feeding the school shark pups.

Baby season runs until December 13 from 9.30am to 5.30pm with the last admission at 4.30pm each day.Talks and question and answer sessions will be held daily at 10.45am, 12.45pm and 2.45pm. Normal admission prices apply although Auckland residents can bring along proof of their residency for a special locals rate.

For more information or to book tickets, visit www.kellytarltons.co.nz or call 0800-80-50-50.

- The Auckland City Harbour News has a family pass for two adults and two children to give away. To enter the draw, write your name, address and daytime phone number on the back of an envelope and send it to Kelly Tarlton’s Baby Season competition, Private Bag 56910, Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland 1446 by noon on November 27.

- © Fairfax NZ News