Boston Like many mothers of new-born babies, Caitlin Hume's work does not end when she gets home. There is the herring-and-krill formula to prepare, followed by a little peeping and playtime, then bed.

For the past few weeks, she and her fellow New England Aquarium biologist Heather Urquhart have been mothering a 22oz Little Blue Penguin that was rejected by its parents after a difficult hatching.

“After you feed him, he'll make some peeping noises for a while, and then he goes to sleep,” said Ms Hume. “And then he's out cold until the next feed at around 5am.”

The baby penguin appears to be making good progress. It is likely that he or she will be introduced to other chicks by the end of May. Biologists will not be able to identify the bird's sex until it is three months old. (AP)

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