Penguin Chick Named After Headscarf Revolutionary Lillian Bilocca

A penguin chick has been named in honor of headscarf revolutionary Lillian Bilocca. Ms. Bilocca, a native of Hull, led the Headscarf Revolutionaries, a group that advocated for enhanced safety standards within the fishing industry following the Triple Trawler Tragedy in 1968. The gentoo penguin chick hatched on June 9, weighing a mere 104g (3oz), and performed her inaugural swim on August 16. Lillian, who belongs to a distinct subspecies of gentoo known as Pygoscelis papua ellsworthi, is identifiable by her blue and white wing bands. The Deep participates in the European Association of Zoos Association’s breeding program for gentoo penguins. These penguins utilize pebbles to construct their nesting sites and to attract mating partners. Once an egg is laid, the parent birds will incubate it on their nest for approximately 30 days until signs of hatching become apparent. Staff members at The Deep had previously characterized the chick as their “sweet new arrival,” noting that she was beginning to develop an “adorable lively personality.”