MONTEREY, CALIF.—Staff members at the Monterey Bay Aquarium are excited about two penguins that hatched at the California aquarium over the past week.

Officials say after an African blackfooted penguin chick hatched Jan. 8, and a second one hatched Jan. 11.

Aquarium spokeswoman Karen Jeffries says both chicks are “doing well.”

Still, because the mortality rate is high among young penguins, aquarium staff will be keeping a close eye on the chicks with a “nest cam” and video monitor.

Aquarium officials say both chicks will be raised as what they term “education birds” that will interact with the public as part of educational programs at the aquarium.

Because the penguin chicks are so young, officials say it’s too early to determine if they’re male or female.