Watch: S.C. aquarium celebrates 'Lucky Seven' penguin baby boom

Sept. 3 (UPI) -- A South Carolina aquarium is celebrating a penguin baby boom, with five recent hatchings bringing the total for the year to seven.

Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach announced the five African penguin chicks hatched recently after the Penguin Playhouse welcomed two others earlier in the year.

The aquarium is now collectively referring to the chicks as "the Lucky Seven."

"We thought we were lucky with our first two chicks, but welcoming five more has made this an unforgettable year," Courtnie Barnett, the aquarium's general manager, said in a news release.

"This incredible milestone would not be possible without our amazing animal care team. Their dedication, expertise, and passion for these animals is truly what makes moments like this possible, and we are so proud to celebrate the Lucky Seven with our guests," Barnett said.

African penguins are considered to be critically endangered, making the recent hatchings an important milestone for the conservation of the birds.

The first two chicks to hatch this year emerged from their shells in May and have been dubbed Vic and Chel. The other five, hatched in June and July, do not yet have names.