Zoo welcomes first penguin chicks of breeding season

The first penguin chicks of the current breeding season have hatched at Edinburgh Zoo.

Five endangered Northern rockhopper chicks and 10 gentoo chicks have hatched so far and it is hoped more will be born in due course.

It is the most Northern rockhoppers to ever be born at the zoo, which is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

Chick
Senior keeper Michael Livingstone holds a Northern rockhopper chick (RZSS/PA)

Gentoo pair Muffin and Mittens also welcomed twins.

The zoo looks after three species of the seabirds, including king penguins, which have not yet hatched.

More than 100 penguins live at the zoo.

Penguins at Edinburgh Zoo
A Gentoo penguin chick at Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS/PA)

Visitors will be able to watch the chicks being cared for by their parents at the zoo’s Penguins Rock, the largest outdoor penguin pool in Europe.

Michael Livingstone, senior animal keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “It is always a really fun time of year when the penguin chicks start to hatch.

“This year we are particularly excited because we have welcomed five Northern rockhopper chicks, which is the most we’ve ever had.

A Northern rockhopper penguin chick at Edinburgh Zoo
A Northern rockhopper penguin chick at Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS/PA)

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –